Prairie Grove man, 75, jailed in fatal shooting

Smith faces first-degree murder charge in connection with death

FAYETTEVILLE — William Garland Smith, a 75-year-old man from Prairie Grove, was arrested Wednesday as a suspect in the shooting death of another man.

Smith, of 16181 S. Applehill Road, is being held in the Washington County Detention Center facing a charge of first-degree murder. Bond was set at $250,000 and a court date scheduled for Jan. 16.

The dead man is Shane Crawford, 62, according to a probable cause report from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Smith and Crawford lived in separate homes at the same address on Applehill Road.

Steve McGhee told deputies he was driving on Applehill Road when he was flagged down by a man who said his name was Shane and he was shot, according to the report. McGhee said he saw other people in the yard of the home near where he picked up Crawford.

McGhee said he took Crawford to Meade Avenue in Lincoln. Crawford slumped over in the truck and McGhee saw Crawford had a gunshot wound to his back. McGhee said he then called 911.

An ambulance took Crawford to Washington Regional Medical Center where he died from his wound. Crawford’s body has been sent to the state Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

Smith told deputies at his home he shot someone while he was talking on the phone. Deputies took Smith into custody but delayed the interview because of Smith’s level of intoxication, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Smith told investigators

Wednesday he shot Crawford in the back with a .22-caliber revolver after an altercation. According to the Sheriff ’s Office, a search warrant for the property was obtained and three weapons were seized, including a .22-caliber revolver.

Smith