Police: Woman says she was thrown from bridge into Arkansas River after witnessing deadly shooting

A woman who witnessed a deadly shooting in Lonoke County was found soaking wet near the Arkansas River early Christmas Day, according to a police report.

Jamie Shipp, 42, told police she witnessed a shooting and that she was thrown off of a bridge and into the river.

Police said they found Shipp shivering and soaking wet after being called shortly after 3 a.m. Monday to 4400 River Mountain Road. The report said she appeared to have early signs of hypothermia.

According to the report, Shipp said she swam across the river after being thrown from the bridge.

The Lonoke County sheriff's office said deputies responded to a shooting on Johnson Road in Scott shortly before 12:30 a.m. They reportedly found two people shot. One, identified as 49-year-old Arlin Wayne Nugent, suffered fatal injuries. There was no word on the condition of the other.

Authorities said two men entered the residence "and began to shoot at the people" inside before kidnapping a female victim.

That victim was later found in Little Rock, the Lonoke County sheriff said in a news release, though that office didn't provide any details about her being thrown from the bridge.

Richard Gilliam, 33, of Little Rock was arrested on charges of capital murder, attempt to commit capital murder, kidnapping and aggravated residential burglary. He remained in the Lonoke County jail on Tuesday morning with bail not yet set.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

— Ryan Tarinelli

EARLIER:

A 33-year-old Little Rock man is accused of kidnapping a female victim after a shooting left one man dead in Lonoke County on Christmas morning, authorities said.

Richard Gilliam was arrested on charges of capital murder, attempt to commit capital murder, kidnapping and aggravated residential burglary. He remained in the Lonoke County jail on Tuesday morning with bail not yet set.

The Lonoke County sheriff's office said deputies responded to a shooting on Johnson Road in Scott shortly before 12:30 a.m. They reportedly found two people shot. One, identified as 49-year-old Arlin Wayne Nugent, suffered fatal injuries. There was no word on the condition of the other.

Authorities said two men entered the residence "and began to shoot at the people" inside before kidnapping a female victim, whose age was not released.

That victim was later found in Little Rock, the sheriff's office said in a news release, noting she was taken to the hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries.

Gilliam was identified as a suspect and arrested. Police were still working to identify and find the second suspect, the release said.

No information on a motive has been released.

— Gavin Lesnick