A local woman was in serious condition after she was reportedly shot early Tuesday morning on Carpenter Dam Road near Lake Park Drive in what Hot Springs police termed a possible case of domestic violence.
Police officers responded to a reported shooting at the intersection at 7:31 a.m. and found the victim, a 37-year-old woman, with injuries. She was airlifted to UAMS for treatment and was listed in serious but stable condition, police said in a news release, which did not specify the nature of her injuries.
Within about 30 minutes of finding the victim, police arrested a suspect, identified as Nelson Green Johnson III, 37, who lists a West St. Louis St. address, on a felony charge of violation of a no-contact order, the release said.
"Detectives are currently investigating this as a possible case of domestic violence. The investigation is ongoing at this time and more details will be released at a later time," the release said.
Moments after the shooting was reported, officers began searching for a white Pontiac Grand Prix that was seen leaving the scene, and located it off the roadway in a wooded area at the end of Grand Point Drive shortly before 8 a.m. A few minutes later, a suspect was taken into custody.
Detectives began processing the scene on Carpenter Dam Road which required traffic to be diverted for about two hours Tuesday morning. A gun was found in the roadway and retrieved along with other evidence along the road.
Johnson was previously arrested on March 1 on a felony charge of second-degree domestic battery involving the same victim after he allegedly ran over her legs and left hand with his car during a confrontation on Feb. 26.
Johnson remained in custody on zero bond and pleaded not guilty to the charge on May 1. He was later released on $5,000 bond on July 6 and a court order barring him from contact with the victim was issued. A hearing to determine the admissibility of statements he made to police was set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
On July 29, Johnson was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of violating the protection order. He appeared via video in Garland County District Court the next day and pleaded no contest and was sentenced by Judge Ralph Ohm to one year in jail, with all but two days suspended, and six months' probation. He was later released for time served.
According to the probable cause affidavit on the second-degree battery charge, on Feb. 26, shortly before 1 p.m., Hot Springs police Officer Taylor Werst responded to a call in reference to a domestic battery at Johnson's residence at the time on Sixth Street and made contact with the victim and two female witnesses.
The victim reportedly said she and Johnson were in the garage area behind their home arguing over money when he punched her in the face.
She said Johnson then attempted to leave in their Dodge Durango and she tried to get the keys as he backed out, causing her to fall to the ground. Johnson allegedly "accelerated straight towards her and ran over her legs and left hand as she tried to get out of the way."
The Dodge reportedly struck the house and Johnson got out, walked over to the victim, who was still on the ground, and allegedly kicked her several times in the face.
A female witness reportedly yelled at Johnson to stop and at that time he fled in the vehicle.
The victim was reportedly transported to a hospital where she was admitted due to the severity of her hand injury that reportedly required surgery. She also reportedly sustained a broken nose, a sprained ankle, bruising, swelling and lacerations to her head, legs and face.
At the time of Johnson's arrest on March 1, according to the bail determination form, he was on parole from a 2015 felony conviction in Phillips County for first-degree battery and possession of a firearm by certain persons.
Local on 09/12/2018