A man holding a woman hostage at the Walmart store in Trumann shot and killed a man who tried to intervene, Trumann police said.
Gabriel Urrabazo, 22, was ordered held in lieu of $500,000 bond on a first-degree murder charge during a probable cause hearing Monday, according to a news release from the Trumann Police Department.
Police were called to the Walmart on Industrial Park Road on Sunday night after a report of a man with a gun, the news release said. They found Urrabazo, who was holding Faith Morgan, 21, hostage at gunpoint in what police believed was a domestic dispute, authorities said.
“As officers began to negotiate with the suspect, Robert Highfill, 35, of Trumann, attempted to intervene but, unfortunately, was shot and killed by the suspect,” the news release said.
Officers continued to plead with Urrabazo to release Morgan as they attempted to secure the area and clear it of bystanders, authorities said. The news release said the Walmart was evacuated and officers from local, state and federal agencies arrived.
Urrabazo released Morgan and began to walk away, and officers ordered him to drop his weapon, authorities said. The negotiations lasted for about 90 minutes before Urrabazo surrendered, according to the news release.
Urrabazo is scheduled to appear in court May 29, the news release said.
Trumann is in Poinsett County in northeast Arkansas, less than 20 miles southeast of Jonesboro.