Arkansas State Police have identified the deceased suspect involved with an officer-involved shooting in Stone County that happened yesterday Thursday, July 18.
Samuel Fullerton, 39-years-old, is the suspect that died during the shooting. A 32-year-old woman was injured during the incident but is recovering after being questioned by investigators.
Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division are continuing their work today Friday, July 19 investigating the shooting incident.
After completing their investigation, the case file will be presented to the Stone County Prosecuting Attorney for consideration with respect to the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer.
Sergeant Mike Stephen, who also died on the scene, had been dispatched to the residence for purposes of a welfare check stemming from an alleged disturbance.
Forensic evidence recovered at the scene has also been submitted to the crime lab for analysis. Two other deputies arrived on the scene as the gunfire erupted. Investigators are working to determine how many shots were fired and who was hit by which weapons.
Fullerton had an order of protection in effect keeping him from a woman in neighboring Searcy County.
Court records also show at least seven threatening and assault charges over the last two years in Stone County.
A hearing over the protection order was scheduled for next week.
Stephen's body was released back to his family Friday morning and taken to a funeral home in Melbourne, Izard County, where Stephen and his wife Susan lived. Processions lined the highway back to Ozarks this morning.
"I've had a lot of ups and downs today," Susan Stephen said when reached by phone. "The response has been overwhelming."
She said state police were scheduled to go over funeral arrangements some time Friday.
This article has been updated to reflect that Stephen is a sergeant, not a deputy.