An 18-year-old Cave City man is facing a Cave City manslaughter charge after investigators say he admitted to pointing a loaded rifle at a juvenile during what he described as “horseplay,” resulting in a fatal shooting.
Gauge Daniel Allen, 18, is being held in the Independence County Jail on a $50,000 bond after a judge found probable cause to charge him with manslaughter, a Class B felony. A court date has been set for February 24, 2026.
According to the Independence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded February 12 to a reported shooting at a residence on Rainey Lane. Upon arrival, deputies found Dakota Chavers unresponsive on a couch. Law enforcement officers applied a tourniquet and began chest compressions until emergency medical personnel transported Chavers to White River Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators reported that Chavers sustained gunshot wounds to his wrist and chest, injuries believed to be consistent with a defensive wound. Evidence from the scene and the victim’s body were submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory.
Detective Dalton Wallace stated the completed autopsy and medical examiner’s findings, received February 17, were consistent with investigators’ observations at the scene.
According to an affidavit, Allen initially told investigators the rifle had fallen over, causing the injuries. However, after being advised of his Miranda rights and informed of crime lab findings indicating the bullet was in “level flight,” Allen admitted he had picked up the rifle and pointed it at Chavers during horseplay.
Investigators say Allen told them Chavers warned him the weapon was loaded before it discharged, striking Chavers and leading to his death.
The case remains under investigation by the Independence County Sheriff’s Office.
