Fayetteville man, 32, arrested after shots fired in dispute at apartment

FAYETTEVILLE — Police say a 3 a.m. domestic disturbance reported Friday in an apartment on Whitham Avenue escalated to shots fired through the walls and into a neighboring apartment.

Thomas Martin Bemberg, 32, of Fayetteville was arrested Friday after an eight-hour standoff. He was arrested on a warrant for aggravated assault on a family or household member and also in connection with committing a terroristic act, according to a police report. Police say his bond was set at $25,000.

Officers went to 341 N. Whitham Ave., Apt. 3B8, after a report of a shooting. The preliminary report indicated Bemberg’s girlfriend lived in the apartment.

Officers heard five shots fired from inside the apartment, the report said. Officers later found six bullet casings in the apartment and bullet holes in the walls and ceiling of the apartment. Some of the bullets entered a neighboring apartment where the resident was sleeping, police said.

“We had a situation where are a man and a woman were involved in a domestic situation, and from there some shots were fired,” Sgt. Anthony Murphy, spokesman for the Fayetteville Police Department, said around 10 a.m. Friday. “The woman got out of the apartment, and the man stayed inside. We backed off and are working with his family to try and get him the services he needs.”

Steve Harrison with Central Emergency Medical Services said no one at the scene required medical attention.

Officers spent several hours working with members of Bemberg’s family to persuade Bemberg to surrender. He was taken into custody around 11 a.m., Murphy said.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe) Law enforcement personnel speak to a man in handcuffs Friday at 641 N. Whitham Ave. in Fayetteville after a report shots were fired following a domestic disturbance. Go to nwaonline.com/ 2001003Daily/ for today’s photo gallery.