Twister confirmed in Boone County 1 man shot; NLR police seek suspect

The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF1 tornado touched down Tuesday night in Boone County as strong storms moved through the region.

Meteorologist Dennis Cavanaugh of the weather service in North Little Rock said the tornado, which had winds of up to 110 mph, was confirmed on the basis of “drone footage and pictures” submitted by the Boone County emergency manager.

Damage was reported to homes in the Bergman and Lead Hill areas, including a mobile home that received extensive damage, Cavanaugh said. An outbuilding and a garage also were destroyed.

The tornado was reported to have a width of 200 yards, and it stayed on the ground for 3.4 miles. No injuries were reported.

The tornado is the 21st in Arkansas this year, the weather service said.

North Little Rock police were searching for a gunman Saturday night after one person was shot in a domestic disturbance earlier in the evening.

North Little Rock police spokesman Sgt. Brian Dedrick said officers were called about a disturbance at a residence at 5822 MacArthur Drive west of Parkway Drive about 6 p.m.

They found a man shot at a Valero gas station nearby at MacArthur Drive and Military Drive. The man, whose identity had not been released late Saturday, was taken to UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock with life-threatening injures, police said.

The suspected gunman, whose identity also wasn’t released, had been in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend at the home, police said. Some of her family had gone to help when one of them was shot. Police believe the gunman then locked himself inside the home with a 1-year-old child.

Dedrick said special weapons and tactics officers, along with negotiators, were called to the home when police learned the suspect might still be inside with the child.

Police reported about 8:40 p.m. that officers had entered the house and found the child, who was not injured.

They did not find the suspect in the house. Dedrick said police did not know where the man fled. He said officers were searching for him.