The following news is based on information released by The Arkansas Insider. This is a developing story. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
A violent confrontation erupted in Batesville on Monday night, sending shockwaves through the community.
According to The Arkansas Insider, a fight in Batesville resulted in one man being shot in the neck and the other facing a felony charge, as detailed in court documents.
Fight Ends with Shooting and Felony Charge
Batesville police responded around 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 21 to reports of a fight and possible gunshots. Officers later found Christopher Lamar Tucker at White River Medical Center, where he told police he had been shot. John Wesley Smith Jr., 26, arrived shortly afterward with visible facial injuries and told officers he had “shot him” in self‑defense.
According to the affidavit, officers also saw a handgun inside the SUV Smith arrived in, with the slide locked back. Investigators received conflicting accounts of who started the physical confrontation. Smith claimed Tucker hit him first, the gun fell from his pocket, and he struck Tucker with the firearm before firing in self‑defense.
Tucker told investigators that Smith struck him first and that he attempted to retreat after seeing Smith reach for what he believed was a weapon. Tucker said Smith then pulled the gun and shot him, after which Tucker was able to take the gun away and strike Smith with it. An investigator observed a deep wound on the back of Tucker’s neck, and a doctor reportedly believed the injury was caused by a gunshot.
Smith, 26, is charged with first‑degree battery, a Class B felony, with bond set at $50,000. He is scheduled to appear in Independence County Circuit Court on Oct. 14. All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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