A local man was shot in the leg during an argument at the Valero, 1201 Central Ave., Thursday afternoon, an incident that was witnessed by an off-duty Hot Springs police officer whose description of the suspect led to his arrest minutes later a few blocks away, Hot Springs police said.
It was the fifth shooting incident at the intersection of Grand and Central avenues since March 2017.
Police said in a news release that the shooting suspect, Christopher Deshawn Stewart II, 18, of Hot Springs pulled a pistol during the argument and shot the victim, Anthony Sisk, 40, in the leg outside the gas station.
"Responding officers applied a tourniquet to Sisk's leg to stop the bleeding," which the release said was a non life-threatening injury. Sisk was being treated at a local hospital, police said.
Stewart was charged with first-degree battery, possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms. He was being held at the Garland County Detention Center on a zero bond.
Hot Springs police officers stopped a black Ford car with white racing stripes in the 100 block of Orange Street minutes after the shooting.
A police officer could be seen placing a firearm from the vehicle into an evidence bag. A bag of marijuana was also reportedly found inside the vehicle.
"I can confirm that there were some shots fired and that we do have a victim that has been shot," Hot Springs police Sgt. Jerry Freeman said.
Yellow crime scene tape blocked off two gas pumps and the entrance of the Valero as investigators worked the scene and collected statements from eyewitnesses. The Valero's owner declined to comment Thursday.
Freeman said Sisk appeared alert and responsive when he spoke with first responders.
Local on 09/07/2018