Update: Man Tells Police Shootout near UALR Was Robbery Attempt
By: Karoline Wightman
Updated: March 20, 2013
Update (March 20):
LITTLE ROCK, AR - Little Rock Police are looking for a man suspected of being involved in a shoot out near the UALR campus on S. University Ave. Tuesday afternoon.
Employees at the Game Exchange say 20-year-old Blake Vines came in trying to sell an iPad. Katrina Dobynes says she refused to buy it because Vines name came up flagged in the store's system. "We told him we couldn't take it because we cannot take stuff from people who are banned." Banned for selling either broken or stolen goods. Dobynes says Vines left the store unhappy. That's when she says she heard gun shots. "At first we thought it was someone banging on a trash can or car backing up. We didn't know."
Little Rock Police say a man drove up to Vines in the parking lot attempting to rob him, and shot at him. Police say Vines shot back. Bullets flew across the street into the Robert Ross building at UALR, shattering a window on the third floor and damaging the first floor brick exterior. Police say three men were working outside the building when the bullets hit. No one was injured in the exchange of gunfire. No students are on campus this week due to spring break, but the shooting is still concerning to the Director of Public Safety, Edward Smith. "Anytime an incident like this occurs it makes us a little more hyper vigilant. "
Smith understands how worrisome a shooting near campus can be for parents and students. He says crimes like this can't be prevented, but he wants to reassure everyone his department is working with Little Rock Police hoping forensic evidence from the bullet still logged in the window frame could help find the suspect. "This is a very safe campus and our officers are dedicated to making sure the visitors to campus, our faculty, staff, and students can be educated in an environment that's safe and secure."
Police are still looking for the shooting suspect who they believe took off in a white Chevrolet Impala, and is described only as a black man 20 to 25 years old.
An estimated $800 in damage to the building will be repaired Thursday.
LITTLE ROCK, AR - Little Rock Police are looking for a man suspected of being involved in a shoot out near the UALR campus on S. University Ave. Tuesday afternoon.
Employees at the Game Exchange say 20-year-old Blake Vines came in trying to sell an iPad. Katrina Dobynes says she refused to buy it because Vines name came up flagged in the store's system. "We told him we couldn't take it because we cannot take stuff from people who are banned." Banned for selling either broken or stolen goods. Dobynes says Vines left the store unhappy. That's when she says she heard gun shots. "At first we thought it was someone banging on a trash can or car backing up. We didn't know."
Little Rock Police say a man drove up to Vines in the parking lot attempting to rob him, and shot at him. Police say Vines shot back. Bullets flew across the street into the Robert Ross building at UALR, shattering a window on the third floor and damaging the first floor brick exterior. Police say three men were working outside the building when the bullets hit. No one was injured in the exchange of gunfire. No students are on campus this week due to spring break, but the shooting is still concerning to the Director of Public Safety, Edward Smith. "Anytime an incident like this occurs it makes us a little more hyper vigilant. "
Smith understands how worrisome a shooting near campus can be for parents and students. He says crimes like this can't be prevented, but he wants to reassure everyone his department is working with Little Rock Police hoping forensic evidence from the bullet still logged in the window frame could help find the suspect. "This is a very safe campus and our officers are dedicated to making sure the visitors to campus, our faculty, staff, and students can be educated in an environment that's safe and secure."
Police are still looking for the shooting suspect who they believe took off in a white Chevrolet Impala, and is described only as a black man 20 to 25 years old.
An estimated $800 in damage to the building will be repaired Thursday.
Comments
good luck...that 'hood is impala central
Peter D.
March 19, 2013 at 5:19 pm
