Man arrested after allegedly shooting at ex-girlfriend and her passenger

HOPE, Ark. — A Hempstead County man has been arrested after allegedly shooting at his ex-girlfriend and a passenger in her vehicle on Sunday.

Cody Wright is charged with first-degree battery and is being held in the Hempstead County Detention Center, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The shooting happened at 6:09 p.m. Sunday in the 4700 block of state Highway 29 North, according to the news release.

Upon arrival, deputies spoke with a 17-year-old female, who told deputies she was traveling to Blevins, Arkansas, to get her belongings from the home of her ex-boyfriend, Wright.

The girl alleged she met a vehicle driven by Wright and that he turned around and began following her vehicle closely. The girl told deputies she attempted to turn onto a road to stop, but when she turned on her blinker, Wright allegedly drove past her and stopped sideways on the road.

Wright allegedly exited the vehicle from the passenger side and began shooting.

The passenger in the girl’s vehicle, Hunter Brown, told deputies he was with the girl to help her retrieve her belongings.

Brown was shot in the shoulder after

Wright allegedly began firing.

Brown reported that Wright attempted to grab the door handle and that’s when Brown produced a 9mm handgun and returned fire, striking Wright in the hand. Brown said Wright threw the gun and went toward the girl.

Brown stated that Wright had his hands around the girl’s neck, prompting Brown to aim his gun at Wright’s leg and advise him to release the girl. Wright complied, Brown said.

Wright allegedly followed Brown and the girl to a relative’s house but then left the scene and was later arrested by Hope Police at a residence on Sherwood Street. He was taken to Hempstead County Detention Center and booked for battery in the first degree.

A .22-caliber handgun was recovered and taken as evidence by Hope Police and later turned over to Hempstead County investigators.

The 17-year-old girl sustained injuries from glass fragments in her right arm and a cut on her elbow. Brown had a wound to his right bicep. He was treated at a local hospital and released.

Wright was treated by family members for an injury to his hand.