UCSO on hunt for suspect in Strong shooting
The Union County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information on the whereabouts or travels of Lovell Govan, Jr., 46, of Huttig to report it to their office.
Govan is wanted on charges of attempted capital murder, kidnapping, burglary and felony theft in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in Strong that was reported Wednesday.
Deputies responded Wednesday evening to a residence in the 100 block of North Hickory in Strong. Upon their arrival, they found two victims, a 39 year old woman and her 17 year old daughter, with multiple gunshot wounds.
A third victim who was uninjured told deputies Govan had held the two gunshot victims hostage at the residence; she said Govan had been waiting inside the home when the woman and her daughter arrived home late
Tuesday night. On Wednesday, the third victim said, she stopped by the original victims’ home with her four year-old child; she told deputies she was met at the door by Govan, who led her inside and prevented her from leaving after showing her that he had a firearm.
The two original victims had both reportedly been shot multiple times already by the time third victim was taken hostage with them.
The third victim said she was able to escape the residence Wednesday night during a moment when Govan was distracted, going to a neighboring home to call 911. The two original victims also attempted to flee at that time, she said. Govan reportedly fired at the mother again during their escape attempt, shooting her in the face, according to a press release from the UCSO.
Govan then fled the area in the third victim’s vehicle and was most recently believed to be headed southbound from Strong.
The younger victim was treated and released from the Medical Center of South Arkansas, while her mother was still undergoing treatment in Little Rock Thursday, where she was lifeflighted after initial transport to MCSA.
“It was something that no one should have gone through,” Union County Sheriff Ricky Roberts said Thursday. “We’re concerned right now with the health of the people affected.”
Warrants have been issued for Govan, who, according to the UCSO press release, is known to have family and associates throughout south Arkansas and north Louisiana and is sometimes known as “Boomer.”
Govan was last known to be driving a silver 2014 Mazda 6 with an Arkansas license plate with the number 386YDR.
The UCSO has advised that Govan is to be considered armed and dangerous. They urge anyone who sees him not to approach him, but to instead contact local police in the city or county where the sighting occurs.
Others with information about Govan’s whereabouts or travels are asked to call the UCSO at 870864-1990.