Hot Springs police arrest man after shots were fired

A Hot Springs man was arrested after several shots were fired from inside his home Monday night, police said.

Shortly before 7:30 p.m., officers were called to Timbercrest RV & Mobile Home Park, 3921 Central Ave. in Hot Springs, in reference to a person who “was threatening neighbors,” a news release from the city’s Police Department said.

There, authorities tried to speak with 57-year-old John David Barron.

Officer Joey Williams of the Hot Springs Police Department said that officers had gone to the mobile home park earlier in the day in reference to a disorderly person, later identified as Barron, who was arrested and later released on a $500 bond.

Later that day, neighbors at the mobile home park called police and said Barron “was once again threatening people and being disorderly,” Williams said.

When police arrived the second time and tried to speak to Barron, he went back into his residence, authorities said.

Barron — who was reportedly armed with a rifle and a pistol — made several threats to shoot officers and went in and out of his home, prompting the deployment of the department’s SWAT team and crisis negotiators, the release said.

After several shots were fired from inside and Barron walked outside toward officers, they fired a “less than lethal round” at the Hot Springs resident, which struck him, police said.

A police dog was then deployed, and Barron was arrested “without incident” after a brief struggle, according to the release. Officers noted that Barron was treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital and then released.

Records show Barron was arrested and taken to the Garland County jail, where he remained Tuesday in lieu of $100,000 bond.