Man sentenced for pistol-whipping, trying to shoot man

A local man was sentenced to three years in prison Monday for pistol-whipping another man and trying to shoot him earlier this year after pleading guilty to charges in Garland County Circuit Court.

Samuel Alfonso Peters, 21, who has remained in custody since his arrest March 21, was set to stand trial today, but opted to plead guilty to aggravated assault and second-degree battery and was sentenced to three years on each count, to run concurrent-

ly, while court costs were expunged for time served since his arrest.

According to the probable cause affidavit, on March 21, around 4:30 p.m., Hot Springs police Officer Justin Baker responded to Hot Springs Mall, 4501 Central Ave., in reference to a disturbance involving a gun. Upon arrival, he learned a male victim, 21, had met a known suspect, identified as Peters, earlier at Cornerstone gas station, 1676 Higdon Ferry Road, and agreed to give him a ride in exchange for money.

The victim said he drove Peters to the mall parking lot and once there Peters appeared to be retrieving money from his pocket to pay him when instead he pulled out a black pistol and struck the victim in the head.

He said after Peters struck him he aimed the pistol at his stomach and pulled the trigger. The gun did not discharge, making a “clicking” sound, and Peters said, “You’re lucky the gun jammed.”

Baker noted the victim had an almost 3-inch laceration on the top of his head consistent with his statement. The victim identified Peters, who was sitting on the curb in front of Dillard’s nearby, as the one who had assaulted him.

Peters made a spontaneous statement to police that he had a pistol in his front pocket as he was being detained. He also admitted to having a loaded magazine in another pocket. Baker retrieved a black, defaced .380 semi-automatic pistol and the magazine.

Detective Nathan Rines later spoke to two witnesses who stated they were in the vehicle with the victim during the incident along with one witness’ 2-year-old son. One witness,

18, said she saw the victim and Peters arguing and then saw Peters strike the victim over the head causing him to stumble backward.

She said she saw a pistol in Peters’ hand which he aimed at the victim, who quickly got in the vehicle with them. She said as they were driving away, she saw Peters aiming the pistol at their vehicle. The second witness said she heard the victim and Peters argue, but was looking away when the victim was struck.