Local woman shot while driving; suspect later charged

Antramon Juvar Ford - Submitted photo
Antramon Juvar Ford - Submitted photo

A local woman was shot in the leg while driving on Wood Street early Wednesday and Hot Springs police who heard the gunshots later arrested a local man on multiple felony charges, a news release said.

Shortly after 2:30 a.m., officers heard gunshots in the area of Wood Street and upon arrival located a white Ford truck occupied by Melissa Passarelli, 34, of Hot Springs, who had a gunshot wound to her leg.

An investigation determined the shots came from 205 Wood St. and that Antramon Juvar Ford, 29, of Hot Springs, was involved.

Ford was charged with two counts of committing a terroristic act, punishable by up to life in prison, and one count of first-degree battery, punishable by up to 20 years. He was being held on zero bond.

The inmate roster listed Ford's address as Bryan, Texas, but Cpl. Joey Williams, the department's public information officer, noted Ford has been living in the Hot Springs area for several years.

According to court records, Ford's most recent prior arrest was on June 15, 2017, for second-degree criminal mischief which he pleaded guilty to the next day and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. He had several other arrests, mostly misdemeanors and traffic offenses, dating back to 2011.

On April 25, 2013, he was arrested on felony charges of robbery and second-degree battery and was arrested again on May 14, 2013, for a felony charge of intimidating a witness. All the charges were later withdrawn by prosecutors because the alleged victim failed to cooperate with the investigation.

Local on 06/04/2020

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