2 years ago
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(Dover, Ark.) KTHV -- It happened just after 5 p.m. Saturday off Rushing Road in Dover.
The suspect, 29-year-old Patrick Paul Duvall is in custody charged with four counts of battery. Investigators say he stole a red truck near the scene to get away. Witnesses chased him.
"It's a place where people can go swimming, take their families, have a picnic, very beautiful area up there, but unfortunately this happened up there," says Lt. Aaron DuVall with the Russellville Police Department.
He adds, "The person that was taken into custody is Patrick Hall Duvall."
The shooting happened at Piney Creek during a wedding. The suspect shot the bride and groom and two of their guests.
Lt. Duvall says, "The four victims were transported by Pope County EMS to St. Mary's hospital. Later two of the victims (bride and groom) were med-flight to a hospital in Little Rock."
The suspect was followed from the wedding party by several of the guests until police caught up with him at a local drive thru.
"He saw the police officers as they were approaching him in their vehicles and he pulled in there. Some of the police officers that I talked to say he just came out of his vehicle with his hands raised," explains Duvall. The bride's nephew Roger Cunningham wouldn't go on camera, but had this to say:
"After the wedding the suspect's dog and the bride and groom's dog got into a fight. Patrick DuVall was in no way associated with anyone at the party. He and his female friend were there swimming. DuVall then got into a heated argument with the bride, Melissa Smith and groom Mike Beavers. He went to his car, got a gun and began shooting at the wedding party."
Now remnants of the wedding, confetti, flower petals and cards are over shadowed by the blood left behind by all four victims.
Lt. DuVall adds, "We are just very thankful that it wasn't worst than it was and that no one else received any injuries."
Lt. DuVall is of no relation to the suspected shooter. Three victims are in intensive care; including the bride and groom who were listed in fair condition Tuesday. A fourth victim has been released from the hospital.
Meanwhile, a bond hearing has been set for May 28th at the Pope County Detention Center.
