Suspect arrested after brief standoff

James
James

One of two suspects sought in connection with the brutal assault last month of a local man who remains in a coma was arrested Wednesday morning by Hot Springs police after a brief standoff at a mobile home.

Jeremy Douglas James, 35, alias "Big Kountry," who is reportedly homeless, was taken into custody at 10:45 a.m. in the 100 block of Ward Street on felony warrants for aggravated residential burglary, punishable by up to life in prison, and first-degree battery, punishable by up to 20 years.

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Flowers

His alleged accomplice, Andre Flowers, 35, a black male, is still being sought on the same charges, Officer 1st Class Joey Williams said Wednesday. Anyone with information on Flowers' whereabouts is asked to call police at 321-6789.

James was being held on zero bond Wednesday and is set to appear Aug. 8 in Garland County District Court.

Williams said officers developed information James was inside the mobile home at 121 Ward St. and after S.W.A.T. team members and crisis negotiators surrounded the residence they were able to talk him out and take him into custody without incident.

According to the affidavit, on June 22, police responded to the apartments at 2000 Central Ave. in reference to a disturbance and arrived to find a white male victim, 39, unconscious and struggling to breathe, lying in the hallway outside his apartment.

A witness at the scene told officers the victim had been arguing with a white male and black male outside the apartment. At one point, the victim turned to walk back inside his apartment and was quickly followed by both suspects. Moments later, both suspects "hurriedly fled the scene" and left in a white minivan.

Later that day, detectives spoke with the victim's girlfriend, who was reportedly present during the incident. She said the victim argued with a known suspect, identified as Flowers, due to a previous theft the victim believed Flowers had committed. The victim told Flowers he didn't want him at his apartment.

She said Flowers pulled out a knife during the altercation and the victim grabbed one, too, to defend himself. After the two "exchanged words," the victim turned to walk back inside. At that point, Flowers "rushed" him, pushing him inside and striking him about his head and face.

The girlfriend noted that as Flowers and the victim were initially arguing, James, who had arrived with Flowers, exited the van holding a hatchet. After Flowers "rushed" the victim, she said James followed them inside and also began hitting the victim about his face and head.

She told police she was outside the apartment during part of the altercation so she didn't see all of it, but also noted the two ran out after and fled in the minivan.

The victim was transported to an area hospital with numerous injuries, including a contusion near his left eye, which was swollen shut, and bruising along the center of his neck. A CT scan revealed the victim sustained bleeding on the brain, swelling in his neck and there were preliminary indications of a lack of oxygen to the brain.

The affidavit notes the victim has been "continually unconscious" since the attack. Warrants for the arrests of both James and Flowers were issued later that same day.

Local on 07/27/2017

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