David Tidwell
Charles Mitchell Johnson
Suspect vehicle matches this description
WRIGHTSVILLE, Ark. (KTHV) -Two homicides with no promising leads prompt Pulaski County deputies to take their investigation to the streets. Officers want to solve the cases, but need the community's help.
They set up check points and passed out flyers in hopes of drumming up possible leads. "We've got a couple of unsolved homicides and we're out here passing out flyers trying to get information from the community."
It's not your typical method but Lt. Jeff Allison with the Pulaski county sheriff's office hopes it will help them solve two homicide cases from 2011. Deputies say the cases are not related. They passed out hundreds of flyers with the victims photographs.
"It basically gives the victims information on it when the homicide happened and the location," says Lt. Allison.
Deputies set up cones and stopped cars on Highway 365 and 145th street in Wrightsville. The first victim is David Tidwell. Suspects shot him on April 28th just miles from this check point.
The second is Charles Johnson. He was a long time resident of Wrightsville, according to Lt. Timothy Hibbs with the criminal investigations division at the sheriff's department. Assailants shot him on bunting road in December.
"He was a visitor in a home, two suspects forced their way into the home, several shots were fired Mr. Johsnon was struck by a bullet and died at the scene," says Lt. Hibbs.
Officers say two to four males were involved in the shooting and got away in a white SUV. After Thursday's effort, they hope to gather more details in both shootings Lt. Jeff Allison says this is a close community and hopes they will soon find the missing pieces of their puzzle.
"Every little thing helps so we're hoping that this will bring somebody forward and give us some information that we are looking for."
About 12 deputies were out at the two separate check points.