Photos courtesy of Baxter County Sheriff’s Office
Left: Danny Whitsel, Right: Crystal Whitsel
A Gassville man has been charged with first degree murder in connection with a shooting incident last month. Fifty-eight-year-old Danny Paul Whitsel was booked into the Baxter County Detention Center Wednesday afternoon. He is accused of shooting 32-year-old Ian Lapio of Gassville to death.
Whitsel’s wife, 40-year-old Crystal Marie Whitsel, was also arrested Wednesday on two felony and one misdemeanor charges and released after posting bond in connection with the same incident.
According to the probable cause affidavits from the Arkansas State Police, who was asked to help investigate by the Gassville Police Department, the incidents happened Jan. 20 on Mountain Loop in Gassville.
When Gassville officers arrived, they found Lapio lying on the street, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Baxter Health where he died from his injuries.
Danny Whitsel told the responding officers he had been in an altercation with Lapio and shot him in self defense. Later during an interview with investigators, Whitsel said he confronted Lapio about an earlier confrontation that had occurred between Lapio and Whitsel’s wife Crystal. A verbal argument ensued between the two men and Whitsel brandished a pistol and struck Lapio in the face with it. Whitsel says Lapio approached him in an aggressive manner, so he shot him.
Witnesses told law enforcement Whitsel confronted Lapio, struck him with the pistol and then shot him. Lapio fell to the ground and according to the witnesses, Whitsel walked to the victim and shot him multiple times while he was lying on the ground.
Investigators collected six shell casings in close proximity to where Lapio was lying on the street.
Danny Whitsel is also facing a sentence enhancement of committing a felony with a firearm. His bond is set at $250,000.
Crystal Whitsel was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threatening and third degree battery.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Whitsel told investigators she went to a neighbor’s house where she encountered Lapio growling at her dog. She says she argued with Lapio and warned him the dog would bite him. The two argued and she says she struck him with her hand and Lapio pushed her down. Whitsel says she then went back to her house, got a firearm, loaded it, returned and threatened to shoot Lapio if he came into her yard.
Witnesses told law enforcement Lapio did not push Whitsel and she tripped while again trying to strike Lapio.
Crystal Whitsel was released from the Baxter County Detention Center after posting $25,000 bond.
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