More details released about fatal shooting of Stone County deputy

More details about the fatal shooting of a Stone County deputy have been released. Deputy Justin Smith was attempting to serve a warrant when he was shot to death by 52-year-old Clinton C. Hefton on Jan. 2.According to the probable cause affidavit released Friday, Deputy Smith went to Hefton’s residence on Sawmill Road about five miles north of Mountain View to serve the warrant for terroristic threatening. When he arrived and started to approach the house on foot, Hefton opened the front door and fired multiple shots at the deputy.

Deputy Smith was struck several times as he returned fire and retreated to his vehicle to gain cover. When the deputy made it back to his patrol vehicle, Hefton continued to fire at him while he sat in the driver’s seat.

When backup officers arrived, they fired at Hefton in a wooded area near his house, causing him to retreat back inside the residence.

Hefton then barricaded himself inside the house for a short time before surrendering.

Hefton was taken to the Stone County Jail before being transferred to the Cleburne County Jail in Heber Springs. He has since been transferred to the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility in Little Rock. He is charged with a felony count of capital murder and is being held without bond.

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