NLR Police Search Turns to Standoff, Kids Evacuated
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: May 18, 2012
A standoff in North Little Rock forced police to evacuate a nearby daycare. Authorities were attempting to arrest a man accused of threatening neighbors on N. Vine St., while the kids were inside just a couple of doors down.
Police took the children to another home and then a church further away from the home of the suspect, 33-year-old Kenneth A. Smith. Authorities say they had been monitoring Smith's home for two days. He's accused of threatening a neighbor with a gun. Sgt. Brian Dedrick with North Little Rock Police says they had reason to believe Smith had weapons inside and he also has a history of mental problems. Authorities say first they tried to negotiate from outside his home around 4pm and when that failed they threw gas inside.
Next their SWAT team members entered the home with cameras and search dogs. Police subdued Smith around 8pm.
"Once we were called and notified he threatened some children and another resident it seemed pretty serious so we wanted to make sure nobody got hurt while we served the search warrant," said Sgt. Dedrick.
Authorities confirm two officers received a few minor injuries from struggling to subdue Smith. Police say Smith was bitten by a dog on the foot and taken to the hospital. According to Sgt. Dedrick, once treated, Smith will be taken to jail and held without bond.
Police took the children to another home and then a church further away from the home of the suspect, 33-year-old Kenneth A. Smith. Authorities say they had been monitoring Smith's home for two days. He's accused of threatening a neighbor with a gun. Sgt. Brian Dedrick with North Little Rock Police says they had reason to believe Smith had weapons inside and he also has a history of mental problems. Authorities say first they tried to negotiate from outside his home around 4pm and when that failed they threw gas inside.
Next their SWAT team members entered the home with cameras and search dogs. Police subdued Smith around 8pm.
"Once we were called and notified he threatened some children and another resident it seemed pretty serious so we wanted to make sure nobody got hurt while we served the search warrant," said Sgt. Dedrick.
Authorities confirm two officers received a few minor injuries from struggling to subdue Smith. Police say Smith was bitten by a dog on the foot and taken to the hospital. According to Sgt. Dedrick, once treated, Smith will be taken to jail and held without bond.
Comments
im sick and tired of everytime someone does something its said theres a history of mental illness
lloyd b.
May 21, 2012 at 6:49 am
The VA has failed another veteran again. They have been called about this situation for months and took no action!!!
Richard R.
May 18, 2012 at 7:31 am
