Lee County slayings -- UPDATE
Authorities are looking for this man, Gordon Randall Gwathney, in multiple slayings today near Palestine in Lee County. He's the estranged husband of a woman whose grandparents and parent were killed. Two other people were wounded. The State Police news release is on the jump.
UPDATE: He was arrested about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in a fast food restaurant in Laredo, Texas and did not resist. He had a handgun, but the State Police didn't mention the assault weapon said to have been used in the shootings. His vehicle was impounded in Laredo, but it's uncertain when it will be searched.
STATE POLICE REPORT
Three Lee County residents were killed and two other individuals were wounded at a residence south of Palestine during the pre-dawn hours earlier today.
Law enforcement agencies across the country have been alerted to be on the lookout for Gordon Randall Gwathney, 46, of Marianna. Arkansas State Police and Lee County sheriff’s deputies are in the process of seeking warrants for the arrest of Gwathney in connection with the murders.
Gwathney is described as a white male, standing approximately 5-foot 10 inches tall, weighing between 230 – 250 pounds, with green eyes (known to wear glasses), reddish blond hair and believed to be driving a sandstone colored 2000 Nissan pick-up truck displaying Arkansas license plate 584 EFI.
It is believed that Gwathney entered a residence at 8291 Highway 261 where his estranged wife, Lisa Reeves, 35, was living with her mother. A confrontation between Gwathney and Reeves developed leading to the shooting of three people inside the home and Reeves escaping through a window. The dead are identified as James O. Mitchell, 81, his wife, Evelyn Mitchell, 79, both grandparents of Reeves and Sylvia E. Reeves, 51, the mother of Lisa Reeves, all residents at the home where the shooting occurred.
A brother of Lisa Reeve, Travis Reeves, who lives nearby was alerted to the shooting and confronted Gwathney. A gunfight erupted outside the two homes and Travis Reeves was wounded. His condition is unknown and he is being treated at a Memphis hospital.
St. Francis County Sheriff’s Deputy Terry Jackson who had been dispatched to the shooting arrived at the scene and was also wounded by gunfire from Gwathney who then fled the area. Deputy Jackson was treated for his wounds and released from a Forrest City hospital.
The investigation into the murders and assaults is being conducted by the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division and the Lee County Sheriff’s Department.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Gwathney is asked to contact their nearest law enforcement agency. Gwathney should be considered armed and dangerous.
Comments
This just makes me sick. It should serve as a wake-up call for all spouses in an abusive relationship.
Posted by: BlueRidge![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 13, 2007 09:14 PM
This guy drove from Palestine to Laredo, Texas (where I see he has been apprehended this evening), a distance of 829.8 miles, beginning at approximately 2 AM this morning. That's almost 12 hours of driving time, according to my map service.
Hell of a trip. I wonder if he stopped to pick up a pack of Depends?
Posted by: widj![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 13, 2007 09:48 PM
What is WITH so many guys that they have to kill and maim others when they don't get their way?
There must be something wrong with the way we bring them up, or our society, or whatever...maybe it's just that guys suffer from more genetic problems or brain damage.
Not that there aren't women that do this, but the guys way outclass the women on this type of behavior.
Women and their associates take their lives into their hands when they get involved with men. You just never know when a guy might flip out and start shooting people. Everyone thinks they can see the signs, but you really never know.
Don't get me wrong, I really like most men and have been married for a long time, but geez, can't y'all get a grip on your emotions? I find it ironic that so many guys claim that women are more emotional than men. Yeah, riiiiiigght.
Posted by: rablib![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 15, 2007 03:39 PM