Authorities are searching for a White County man who is accused of assaulting his wife then fatally shooting her father Sunday afternoon.
White County sheriff's Chief Deputy Phillip Miller said police responded around 5 p.m. to a domestic battery report involving Robert Draft, 50, and his wife, Kathie Draft, 49, at their residence at 295 Barber Road in Bald Knob. Police were told that Robert Draft had been armed with a gun during the assault, according to Miller.
Kathie Draft was able to flee their home to her parents' house, located at 291 Barber Road, and was taken to a local hospital to be treated for unspecified injuries. Upon arrival, authorities found Kathie Draft's father, Douglas Cloyes, 71, unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound on his property. Miller said Cloyes was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe Robert Draft has fled the state. The White County sheriff's office is working with the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service to apprehend Robert Draft, and with the prosecuting attorney's office, will charge him with first-degree murder and felony domestic battery, Miller said.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Robert Draft is asked to contact the sheriff's office at (501) 279-6279 or their local authorities.
