Shooting in Strong leaves man injured

Suspect arrested in connection with June firearm incident

A shooting in Strong left one man injured last week. No suspects have yet come to light, said Union County Sheriff Ricky Roberts.

According to a police report from the Union County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to reports of a gunshot victim on North Hickory Street shortly after 1 a.m. last Wednesday.

Upon arrival, the deputy found the gunshot victim, who was at that time being prepared for transport to the Medical Center of South Arkansas. The victim said he did not know who shot him.

He also gave the deputy a false name; the deputy, remembering him from previous encounters, was later able to determine that there was an active warrant against him. Roberts said the warrant is only for a misdemeanor failure to appear charge.

The man had one gunshot wound to his abdomen, which caused internal injuries. Roberts said his wounds were not life-threatening, though he did undergo surgery to remove the projectile from his body.

“I don’t think they got it, though,” Roberts said, noting that he was not sure how the man’s condition has been since surgery.

A witness told the deputy she was inside her residence when she heard the gunshot victim outside. Investigating, she discovered the victim, who asked for her help. He would not tell her his name, she said, nor why he was in pain.

The witness said she saw him walk into the roadway on North Hickory before she was able to stop him from going further. Later, a deputy found five unspent shell casings in the roadway.

Because health care providers were unable to remove the bullet from the victim’s wound, the UCSO is currently unable to determine whether it is a match for the unspent rounds.

Roberts said the UCSO is still

investigating the matter and no suspects have yet come into focus. He said they are also investigating the possibility that the victim accidentally shot himself.

“Of course, he denied that, but we haven’t ruled that out either,” he said.

A suspect was arrested in a separate shooting incident that occurred in Strong in June.

On June 23, a deputy from the UCSO was dispatched to a residence on the west side of Strong in reference to a terroristic act. A witness on scene told the deputy they were hosting a gathering when an argument broke out and a man in attendance pulled a gun and began shooting into a crowd outside.

Two vehicles were damaged as a result of the gunfire, including one belonging to the city of Strong.

Antonio J. Oguinn, 24, of El Dorado was arrested in connection to the incident during an appearance in the Union County Drug Court on July 2. Oguinn is facing charges of possession of a firearm by certain persons and aggravated assault, both felonies, for which he could face up to 26 years in prison.