Local man sentenced to 15 years in prison for 2014 shooting
A local man was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty in Garland County Circuit Court to charges stemming from the shooting of another man last year during a fight over a woman.
Anthony Taron Smith, 27, a previously convicted felon, appeared before Judge Marcia Hearnsberger and pleaded guilty to felony counts of first-degree battery, receiving a sentence of 15 years, and possession of a firearm by certain persons, receiving a sentence of six years, to run concurrently, while a third felony charge of possession of a defaced firearm was withdrawn by prosecutors.
Court costs were expunged, and Smith will be given credit for time served since his arrest on the day of the shooting on Dec. 13, 2014.
According to the affidavit, shortly before 11 a.m., Hot Springs police patrol officers and detectives responded to Park Avenue and Bower in reference to a shooting and located the victim, identified as Shantell Henry, 26, who had driven across the street to the Shell Superstop, 866 Park Ave.
He had at least three gunshot wounds, having been struck at least once in the stomach and once in the right hand, it said. He was transported by LifeNet to a local hospital, but before he was transported he was able to talk to HSPD Detective L. Clem.
He stated he and Smith had been in a fight “over a girl” in the 100 block of Pullman Street and at one point Smith had pulled out a handgun and shot him. The suspect fled the scene and Henry was able to drive across the street to the Shell in his gold Lincoln Continental and yell for help.
Detectives located five shell casings on the sidewalk in the 100 block of Pullman and a witness stated he saw the suspect running north on Pullman holding a silver handgun. Police located Smith in front a residence in the 100 block of Carney and detained him.
A second witness who actually saw the shooting was brought to the scene and identified Smith as the person who was seen shooting the victim.
A HSPD K-9 officer and dog were brought in to help search and located a .32-caliber handgun in some bushes in front of the same residence where Smith was apprehended, a few feet from where he was found.
It was noted the serial number of the handgun had been filed off, resulting in the defaced firearm charge.