Police: Man who tried to intervene in reported hostage situation at Arkansas Walmart fatally shot

Gabriel Dartagnan Urrabazo
Gabriel Dartagnan Urrabazo

TRUMANN — Authorities say one man was fatally shot in what's believed to be a domestic dispute outside of a Walmart in northeast Arkansas.

Trumann Police say officers were called to the store Sunday at 512 Industrial Park Drive, where Gabriel Urrabazo, 22, was said to be holding a 21-year-old woman hostage.

As officers began to negotiate with Urrabazo, Robert Highfill, 36, tried to intervene but was shot and killed by the 22-year-old, a statement from the department reads.

Urrabazo then placed the gun to the woman's head while officers pleaded with him and called for assistance, according to police. Eventually, Urrabazo let the 21-year-old go and began to walk away as officers urged him to drop his weapon.

The standoff lasted about 90 minutes until Urrabazo surrendered and was taken into custody.

As of Monday afternoon, Urrabazo was being held at the Poinsett County jail in lieu of $500,000 on a first-degree murder charge, records show. He is scheduled to appear in court May 29.

Trumann Police Chief Chad Henson encouraged anyone with video to come forward, noting that the shooting happened at "the most populous place in Trumann," a small town about 120 miles northeast of Little Rock.

Arkansas Online reporter Rachel Herzog contributed to this report.

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