Arkansas

Arkansas dad shoots, kills man found with his missing 14-year-old daughter, authorities say

Published

1 month ago

October 11, 2024

Arkansas dad shoots, kills man found with his missing 14-year-old daughter, authorities say

Aaron Spencer was taken into custody and charged with first degree murder, a Class Y felony. He has since posted bail and been released.

A central Arkansas father has been charged with first-degree murder after finding his missing underage daughter in the car with a man, then shooting and killing the man.

The shooting happened in Lonoke County, about 75 miles northeast of Hot Springs.

Someone called the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office around 1:12 Tuesday morning about a missing juvenile, the sheriff’s office said in a news release on Facebook. The girl is 14 years old and the man who was shot is in his 60s, Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley confirmed to USA TODAY Friday afternoon.

While deputies were on their way to the home, someone called to let them know that a father, Aaron Spencer, had found his daughter with a man named Michael Fosler, authorities said.

The two had a “confrontation,” and Fosler was shot and later pronounced dead at the scene.

Spencer was taken into custody and taken to the Lonoke County Detention Center. According to online jail records, 36-year-old Spencer was released at 1:12 p.m. on Wednesday.

He is facing a “preliminary charge” of first degree murder, a Class Y felony, the sheriff’s office said. Class Y felonies normally carry a sentence of at least 10 years and no more than 40 years, or life in prison, according to legal website Justia.

Sheriff Staley said in a video posted on Facebook that the investigation is ongoing so authorities are only releasing limited details. The prosecutor will determine what charges will be filed and no official charges have been filed yet, Staley said.

“I have not, nor will I, advocate for any specific charge,” Staley said. “This is a tragic situation and my thoughts and prayers are with all those involved.”

Investigation: 13-year-old walked away from his mom at Arizona car wash. A month later, he’s still missing.

Shooter posts bail; family trying to secure lawyer

A woman identifying herself as the girl’s mother, Heather Spencer, shared a series of updates on Facebook after the incident. She confirmed that the family was able to post bail and get Spencer out of jail, but they started a fundraiser to retain a lawyer.

“We are private people, so all of this being public has been very difficult,” Spencer shared on Facebook Wednesday afternoon.

In her post, she said the family had a no-contact order in place for Fosler due to stalking.

Man killed was arrested earlier this year

The man who was shot, Fosler, had been arrested by another agency in July and booked for internet stalking of a child and sexual assault, Sheriff Staley told USA TODAY Friday afternoon.

“This guy that preyed upon their daughter was released on bond, and we had stopped him that night and got him with her,” he said. “That bond would have been revoked. He would have never got out of jail. None of the bond companies would have let him out. We wouldn’t let him out.”

She said her family thought Fosler had taken their daughter to kill her. Her daughter is a victim, and her family has a long road to recovery ahead of them, she said.

“We absolutely called 911 during the entire event,” she wrote. “We had no idea this man was in contact with our child again. He was waiting 6-9 felonies for what he did, not 2. He was looking at the rest of his pathetic life in jail, and our daughter was the only witness.”

“Some things we will never know, but we know that the police department afforded this predator privacy they did not give our family,” she wrote. “I’m deeply offended by the way this was handled by the county sheriff’s office.”

‘I absolutely do not support predators’

Sheriff Staley told USA TODAY Friday afternoon that he knows the girl’s mother is hurt and scared.

“I absolutely do not support predators,” he said. “I’m a daddy. I have three daughters. I know she’s hurt right now, but there’s absolutely nobody I would put ahead of our children, their children, my children.”

He said his investigators are trying to figure out what happened that day leading to the man’s death.

“When we get on scene and there’s a homicide, it means one person took the life of another,” Staley said. “It’s either justified or not justified. That’s what the fact finding, that’s what the investigation is going to find out.”

The murder charge against Aaron Spencer, the shooter and girl’s father, is a preliminary charge but it’s not official, Staley said.

Fundraiser for legal funds was removed by GoFundMe

The girl’s mother also claimed that GoFundMe, the platform they were using to collect money for legal purposes, was returning funds to donors and eventually said the fundraiser had been closed altogether. Instead, she is collecting money on Venmo and Cash App.

A GoFundMe spokesperson told USA TODAY Friday afternoon that GoFundMe’s Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers that raise money for the legal defense of anyone formally charged with “an alleged violent crime.”

“Consistent with this long-standing policy, the fundraiser has been removed from our platform and donations have been refunded,” the fundraising platform said in its statement.

On Thursday morning, Spencer thanked community members. She also thanked the other victims who reached out to her with claims that the same man attacked them.

“We have gotten a clear picture of a predator who continuously worked with children and preyed on young girls,” Spencer wrote. “This man was Chief of police in Indiana and resource officer, giving us a better idea of why the Lonoke county courts have been protecting him and going after my husband.”

She said the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office’s actions are proof that the sheriff “supports predators” and that he will prosecute those who are trying to protect their families.

“My husband is a hero and we are so thankful to have him home with us for now,” Spencer wrote Thursday morning. “We want to do everything possible to ensure he can continue to be here to protect us.”

In a final post on Friday morning, she shared that she is overwhelmed by the support community members have shown their family. Her family plans to open a bank account to raise funds as well.

“Donations are wonderful and needed but despite the legal fight this has been the most traumatic event of our families life, all of us, so please just keep us in your prayers and add us to your prayer chains,” Spencer wrote.

‘I don’t file charges’: Sheriff says investigation is underway

The sheriff stressed that he doesn’t have the authority some people think he does.

“I don’t file charges,” he said, adding that the prosecuting attorney handles that. “We’re in consultation with the prosecuting attorney about what to do in this preliminary stage. All my deputies and investigators knew at that time is there’s a deceased man, a 14-year-old that was in the truck with him, and a dad saying ‘Hey, I stopped him for this.’”

Sheriff Staley said investigators were interviewing people Friday and have been all week to get the facts.

“We’re going to get this wrapped up as expeditiously as we can, and get the file faxed and over to the prosecutor so he can make an informed decision,” Staley said.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

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Arkansas

Arkansas football vs Louisiana Tech: Scouting report, prediction for Week 13 game

Published

7 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Arkansas football vs Louisiana Tech: Scouting report, prediction for Week 13 game

After three weeks standing on the verge of bowl eligibility, Arkansas football has its best opportunity to secure a spot in college football’s postseason this weekend against Louisiana Tech.

The Razorbacks (5-5) will host the Bulldogs (4-6) on Saturday (3 p.m., SECN+). Twenty players are projected to take part in Senior Day festivities as Arkansas closes out its home schedule in 2024.

The Hogs are coming off back-to-back losses inside Reynolds Razorback Stadium, most recently falling to Texas 20-10. Arkansas’ offense couldn’t muster enough production across the first two quarters as a comeback bid fell short against the Longhorns.

Louisiana Tech, meanwhile, is coming off its biggest win of the season. The Bulldogs beat conference rival Western Kentucky 12-7, knocking the Hilltoppers out of first place in Conference USA.

Here are four things to watch and a score prediction for Saturday’s contest between Arkansas and Louisiana Tech.

Arkansas football must get off to a fast start

The best way to prevent an upset is to eliminate any hope. Arkansas didn’t do that against UAB in September, and the Razorbacks came out of the gates slow last year in this same spot against FIU. They eventually won both games, but the final scores were closer than desired.

“We’re trying to live up to the Arkansas standard, and that results in executing on the field. And if we don’t live up to that, then we’re going to see a similar slow start,” Arkansas offensive lineman Josh Braun said. “So that’s what we’re focused on this week, just starting fast and playing our brand of football.”

Take care of the football

This is arguably the biggest key for Arkansas every weekend. The Razorbacks are 0-5 when they lose the turnover battle this season, and two costly giveaways spoiled any chance at an upset last week against Texas.

Fortunately for Arkansas, Louisiana Tech ranks 111th in the country in turnover margin. The Bulldogs are averaging nearly two turnovers a game, so this might be an opportune matchup for the Hogs’ defense.

Control the running game on both sides

The Bulldogs have struggled on the ground all season, and they’ve won both games in which they rushed for more than 150 yards. By contrast, they are 2-6 when held under that mark.

Arkansas’ running defense has been strong throughout the year. Only two opponents have averaged more than 4 yards per carry, and the Razorbacks should be able to keep Louisiana Tech running backs Omiri Wiggins and Amani Givens in check.

On the flip side, Arkansas needs to commit to running the football early and stay vigilant with Ja’Quinden Jackson. Relying on the pass too heavily proved a mistake in the first half against Texas, and look for Bobby Petrino to adjust.

All eyes on Tru Edwards

Edwards, a senior wide receiver, is by far Louisiana Tech’s most dangerous weapon. He has four games this season with more than 100 yards receiving and leads the team with six touchdowns.

He’s a big-play threat who will require the full focus of the Arkansas defense. The Razorbacks’ secondary will try to maintain its momentum after holding Quinn Ewers and Isaiah Bond in check last week.

Prediction

Louisiana Tech is better than its record indicates, but there is still a gulf in talent between the two rosters. If Arkansas handles its own business and avoids sloppy turnovers, it should have no problem securing bowl eligibility Saturday. An upset loss would be unacceptable. Arkansas 38, Louisiana Tech 13.

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Arkansas

Calipari Faces at Arkansas He Must Learn He Will Never Defeat

Published

15 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Calipari Faces at Arkansas He Must Learn He Will Never Defeat

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A lot has been made of the poor a attendance at Arkansas Razorbacks basketball games this season.

However, while it’s been somewhat embarrassing at times, it’s not entirely on Razorbacks fans. It’s not anyone’s fault technically. It’s more of a case of a schedule having to be made hastily before there was an opportunity to get to know the nuances of The Natural State.

One thing that is hard for the people of Arkansas to realize without moving away for some extended period of time is how unique the especially close relationship with the local church and the commitment this state’s citizens have to it actually is.

Scheduling the rest of life around church as a non-negotiable is expected. Playing organized sports on Sundays is still still frowned upon in much of the state, as are hunting and fishing in some cases.

Church comes first, whether it be Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night or revival week. Youth league coaches can find themselves pariahs for scheduling practices on Wednesday nights for this very reason.

That’s why excessively low attendance for Wednesday night games shouldn’t be as shocking to those who live here as opposed to people looking from the outside in.

See, one of the biggest adjustments to living outside of Arkansas is the extreme lack of Wednesday night church services. Same goes for revivals.

They’re just not a thing throughout much of the rest of the country, even in states that claim to really be into God. It’s even hard to find legitimate Sunday night services.

At best, there will be a youth program parents use as an excuse for a quick date night. So, that’s why it’s not surprising a coaching staff that didn’t grow up here might think nothing of lining up games on Wednesday nights expecting to get decent weeknight crowds.

However, what happens instead is much smaller crowds that make Hogs fans look disinterested at best. That’s just not likely the case.

They’re interested. Just not until the devotional has been read, the sermon has been preached and the invitation has been sung.

As soon as they get in the parking lot, the first thing they do is turn on the radio and try to catch up with what they have missed. It might seem strange to those from other states, but the priorities are right.

It may look bad on TV, but God, family and then the Razorbacks is the correct order

It’s a minor mistake in scheduling that is easily forgiven and eventually rectified. After all, the seats are still sold out and there are more important things involved in life.

• Indications are Texas may have played with its food against Arkansas

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• Does Petrino offense still work for Razorbacks? | 4th and 5

• Razorbacks still looking forward to potential bowl, sending seniors off right

• Calipari remains confident with seven Hogs’ rotation players

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Arkansas

Arkansas (AAA) high school football playoffs: 2024 brackets, Round 2 matchups, game times

Published

23 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

Arkansas (AAA) high school football playoffs: 2024 brackets, Round 2 matchups, game times

The Arkansas high school football playoffs are on to Round 2, where several teams will start their postseason quest for a state championship after earning Round 1 byes.

The postseason in Class 2A through 7A plus the 8-man division started last week.

Bryant, Fayetteville, Bentonville and Conway are the 7A teams that will kick off their playoff run in Round 2 this week.

>>Arkansas high school football playoff brackets

Stick with High School on SI for all of the matchups, game times and scores throughout the 2024 Arkansas (AAA) football playoffs.

Here are the Arkansas high school football playoff brackets, with matchups and game times, plus second-round matchups:

Second-round matchups

Bryant vs. Cabot

7 p.m. Friday

Pulaski Academy vs. Fayetteville

7 p.m. Friday

Bentonville vs. Bentonville West

7 p.m. Friday

Rogers vs. Conway

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 7A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

El Dorado vs. Greenwood

7 p.m. Friday

Mountain Home vs. Catholic

7 p.m. Friday

Lake Hamilton vs. Benton

7 p.m. Friday

Shiloh Christian vs. Van Buren

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 6A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

Valley View vs. Morrilton

7 p.m. Friday

Parkview vs. Maumelle

7 p.m. Friday

Robinson vs. Lakeside

7 p.m. Friday

Farmington vs. Camden Fairview

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 5A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

Dardanelle vs. Prairie Grove

7 p.m. Friday

Arkadelphia vs. Gentry

7 p.m. Friday

Heber Springs vs. Southside

7 p.m. Friday

Monticello vs. Hamburg

7 p.m. Friday

Clinton vs. Mills University

7 p.m. Friday

Warren vs. Pocahontas

7 p.m. Friday

Elkins vs. Mena

7 p.m. Friday

Malvern vs. Highland

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 4A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

Bismarck vs. Atkins

7 p.m. Friday

Osceola vs. Charleston

7 p.m. Friday

Fordyce vs. Jessieville

7 p.m. Friday

Booneville vs. Mayflower

7 p.m. Friday

Glen Rose vs. Dumas

7 p.m. Friday

Mansfield vs. Newport

7 p.m. Friday

Salem vs. Prescott

7 p.m. Friday

Rivercrest vs. Rison

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 3A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

Murfreesboro vs. Mount Ida

7 p.m. Friday

East Poinsett County vs. Bigelow

7 p.m. Friday

Conway Christian vs. Des Arc

7 p.m. Friday

Carlisle vs. Junction City

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 2A high school football bracket

2024 AAA 8-man high school football bracket

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— Mike Swanson | swanson@scorebooklive | @sblivesports

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