Man arrested for alleged battery, having gun on LS school campus
A Hot Springs man was arrested Friday after he allegedly brought a gun onto school property following a domestic dispute near Lakeside Pre-K.
No one on school property was at any point in danger during the incident, the school said in a statement posted Friday on social media.
Aaron Justin Williams, 31, who lists a Chase Place address, was taken into custody in the parking lot of Lakeside Pre-K, 2897 Malvern Ave., shortly before 3 p.m. Friday and charged with a felony count of possession of a firearm on school property, punishable by up to six years in prison, and a misdemeanor count of third-degree domestic battery.
Williams was initially held on $2,500 bond, but after appearing Monday in Garland
County District Court the felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor count of possession of an instrument of crime and his bond was reduced to $1,500. He remained in custody Monday and is set to stand trial on the possession and battery charges on Dec. 20 and if convicted, could face up to one year in jail.
Just before 3:30 p.m. Friday, the Lakeside School District posted on its Facebook page that “a domestic dispute overflowed to the Lakeside Campus at the Pre-K. There was never any threat to (the) students or staff,” thanking the swift response from the Hot Springs Police Department and Garland County Sheriff’s Department.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Williams’ fiancee reportedly stated that he woke up Friday morning and started cursing at her about her taking money out of the bank account. She reportedly told him she would not speak to him until he calmed down and he went to grab her purse.
When she tried to take it back from him, Williams allegedly shoved her against the wall and squeezed his hand around her throat. She told the deputy she tried to dig her nails into his arm to free herself but she never lost consciousness.
Following the altercation, she said she texted her sister for a ride and reportedly continued to take verbal assaults from Williams. While following her around the house screaming, he allegedly told her if “a dude” showed up to pick her up he would shoot him and then her.
Once her sister arrived, Williams reportedly walked outside holding a firearm and got into his truck and began waving the firearm in the air. He allegedly followed the victim and her sister until he got near the Lakeside campus where their child goes to school and then pulled into the parking lot.
She said she called 911 and pulled over in the parking lot of Dollar General, 4172 Malvern Ave., to wait for an officer. She had no visible injuries but stated it was an ongoing problem. She said she and Williams had been together for about 13 years.
Around 2 p.m., a police officer arrived at Lakeside Pre-K regarding the disturbance and located Williams inside the school. William reportedly stated that he had just left a disturbance with his fiancee and was picking up their child.
Williams allegedly admitted he did not have a concealed carry permit and there was a firearm in his vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, the officer reportedly located a firearm in the center console of the vehicle. There were reportedly no rounds in the chamber, but 14 rounds in the magazine.