State police: After standoff, 1 in custody; man suspected of killing deputy, 2 others

Authorities respond Thursday, May 11, 2017, to a reported hostage situation at Alpha and Gum Springs roads just outside Chickalah in Yell County. The suspect, linked to three killings earlier in the day, has threatened to shoot at law enforcement if they approach a residence where he is believed to be holding two people inside, according to an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter at the scene.
Authorities respond Thursday, May 11, 2017, to a reported hostage situation at Alpha and Gum Springs roads just outside Chickalah in Yell County. The suspect, linked to three killings earlier in the day, has threatened to shoot at law enforcement if they approach a residence where he is believed to be holding two people inside, according to an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter at the scene.

A man suspected in the deaths of three people in Yell County, including a sheriff’s deputy, was arrested “without incident” after a five-hour standoff, a state police spokesman said.

Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler, speaking at a news conference Thursday afternoon at the Dardanelle Police Department, said the man was taken into custody at 2:40 p.m.

“It’s been a very long day; it’s been a sad day for law enforcement,” Sadler told reporters.

Police initially identified the man, but later said they could not confirm his full name. The man faces three counts of capital murder in the killings of 46-year-old Yell County sheriff’s deputy Lt. Kevin Mainhart, a five-year employee of the agency, as well as two other female victims.

The identities of the female victims had not been released as of about 3:55 p.m. Thursday.

Authorities say a hostage was inside a house in the 10000 block of Gum Springs Road that the man had barricaded himself in for the five-hour period.

That hostage was allowed to leave about 30 minutes before the suspect was arrested, Sadler said. She has since been taken in for questioning.

Specific details regarding how the hostage situation came to an end were not immediately released.

“It was done very successfully,” Sadler noted.

Sadler said the house was the same place where the two female victims were found dead. Their bodies remained at the location as police negotiated with the man on Thursday afternoon.

Shortly after 7:15 a.m., Mainhart initiated a traffic stop along Arkansas 27 near Slo Fork Road, which is west of Dardanelle, state police said.

The stop came after the deputy identified a vehicle believed to have been linked to a disturbance call at the Gum Springs Road residence.

Mainhart was fatally shot and hurt during that stop, according to authorities. A civilian found the deputy and called police.

The state police spokesman noted that the criminal aspect of the investigation is “really just beginning.” He added that certain sensitive information would be withheld until deemed appropriate.

After the suspect was arrested, he was taken to a hospital and is expected to be transported to the Conway County jail, authorities said.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a statement that Mainhart's extensive career in law enforcement in West Memphis and Yell County “made Arkansas a safer place.”

“Our thoughts, prayers and gratitude are with the Mainhart family and all those who put their own lives in danger to serve and protect.”

Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin said Arkansans "collectively grieve for the loss of Lt. Mainhart in the line of duty. So many have been affected by this senseless tragedy."

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge also responded to Mainhart’s death in a statement, referencing the deputy’s mission to his community.

“While today will mark his end of watch, he never wavered in his steadfast commitment and responsibility to safeguard his neighbors from harm,” Rutledge wrote.

Earlier Thursday, Mainhart received a police escort through Little Rock as his body was being transported to the state Crime Laboratory.

Read Friday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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Information for this article was contributed by Emma Pettit of Arkansas Online and Jeannie Roberts of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

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