A suspect in a reported shooting incident early Thursday morning in Harrison has been arrested. According to the Harrison Daily Times, 32-year-old Kurt Gronwaldt was arrested Friday evening around 6:30 near the old Crawford’s store south of Pruitt in Newton County.
Records show a caller reported one man had shot another at a residence on East Rogers in Harrison about 1:45 a.m. Thursday. Police Chief Paul Woodruff said officers responded to the house, but both the victim and suspect were gone. The victim, whose name has not been released, was located later and taken to North Arkansas Regional Medical Center for treatment, then to the Harrison Police Department (HPD) to make a statement.
Following the victim’s statement, a warrant was issued for Gronwaldt, charging him as a habitual offender with second-degree battery, aggravated assault, possession of firearm by certain person, meaning his is a convicted felon, felony with a firearm and intimidating a witness.
Gronwaldt’s bond was set at $250,000.
Newton County Sheriff-elect Glenn Wheeler says Gronwaldt was in a vehicle stopped by a deputy late Thursday night. Once stopped, Gronwadlt proceeded to flee on foot and a pursuit ensued.
The traffic stop occurred in the area of Crawfords. Wheeler said authorities knew Gronwaldt had been staying on and off in a mobile home in that area.
An HPD daily log shows Newton County authorities requested an HPD K-9 unit to help track Gronwaldt through the woods. The dog tracked Gronwaldts trail to the road, where it stopped. Officers believe he had gotten a ride from the area.
Just after 3:00 Friday morning, a caller reported Gronwaldt had returned to the house on East Rogers, but he was gone when officers arrived. The same thing happened about an hour later.
After Newton County was given that information, the search was suspended that morning. However, authorities had been surveilling the area in marked and unmarked units since after receiving information Gronwaldt might return to the trailer.
Investigators received an anonymous tip that Gronwaldt was in the area of the mobile home Friday afternoon, so they set up a perimeter with the assistance of the National Park Service, the Game and Fish Commission with a K-9 unit, the HPDs K-9 unit and Jasper Police.
Gronwaldt was taken into custody without incident. No officers were injured. Once in custody, Gronwaldt admitted he had a pistol when he fled from the traffic stop, but dumped it in the woods.
Gronwaldt was taken to the Newton County Jail after his arrest. Wheeler said Gronwaldt is expected to face more charges in Newton County.
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