Gunman mentally ill, deputies say

A man accused of shooting at Pulaski County sheriff’s deputies Friday afternoon and wounding a police dog is schizophrenic and had not been taking his medication, a sheriff’s office spokesman said.

Kenneth Alexander, 40, of North Little Rock was undergoing a psychological evaluation Saturday at UAMS Medical Center and was being held under guard Saturday night at the hospital, sheriff’s office spokesman Lt. Carl Minden said.

Deputies responding to a disturbance call on Wade Boulevard about 2 p.m. Friday found Alexander in a nearby field, and he fired at them before running into a wooded area, according to reports.

After setting up a perimeter and searching the area, deputies learned Alexander’s cell phone was the residence at 14707 Wade Blvd., a report states.

A North Little Rock police dog was sent into a crawl space under the residence, and Alexander opened fire on the animal, according to reports. A North Little Rock police officer retrieved the dog after firing into the crawl space.

Several distractionary devices and chemical irritants were then fired underneath the residence. Alexander crawled out and fought with deputies, biting one deputy on the finger and kicking another in the leg, Minden said.

Deputies used a Taser on Alexander’s back and again on his chest when he rolled over. Alexander was then restrained and arrested, the report states.

Minden said Friday night that Alexander would be charged with four counts of criminal attempt to commit capital murder.