FORT SMITH, Ark. — At about 4:08 a.m. on Friday (Jan. 1), Fort Smith Police responded to a call of shots fired at a local event center in the 3200 block of Towson Avenue.
After arriving at New Wave Event Center, police discovered seven gunshot victims with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries after an exchange of gunfire between at least two individuals at the center.
Police believe this to be an isolated incident with no immediate threat to the public.
Fort Smith Police have now arrested 26-year-old Mathew Steward in connection to the shooting. He is currently being held at the Sebastian County Jail on a $2,330 bond.
The FSPD Criminal Investigations Division developed Steward as a suspect after witness interviews and a thorough investigation.
Steward is facing charges of Terroristic Act 1st, Battery 1st, and five counts of 2nd-degree battery.
Two victims remain hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The other five have been discharged from local hospitals.
The Wave is licensed as an event center and according to Aric Mitchell with FSPD, event centers do not follow the same curfew requirements as night clubs, bars or restaurants.
All agencies with interest have been notified to investigate all possible public health and other violations.
If you have any information, contact the Fort Smith Police Department at (479-) 709-5100.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.