Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Shooting Suspect Arrested

On 1-18-07 at approximately 2:45pm, Texarkana Arkansas Police arrested Octavian Smith on a felony warrant for the charge of Battery 1st. Smith came to the Bi-State Center and turned himself in to detectives. He was booked into the Bi-State Jail, and no bond has been set at this time.

This charge stems from a shooting that occurred on 1-13-07 at the Wild Coyote Club in the 4100 block of Arkansas Blvd. On 1/13/07 at 1:45am police responded to The Wild Coyote in the 4100 block of Arkansas Blvd. in reference to a shooting that had just occurred.

Police located the victim, Michael Pender (b/m/20 Texarkana, TX) lying on the stage. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Pender was transported by LifeNet ambulance to Christus St. Michael Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

A single .25 cal. shell casing was recovered from the dance floor. Witness statements indicate that the victim was shot while inside the club.

After conducting an initial investigation which included interviewing numerous winesses to the shooting, an arrest warrant was issued for the suspect, Octavian Smith (b/m/18 New Boston, TX).

This case is now shown as closed by arrest, and court proceedings will be underway as soon as possible.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.