State briefs

Arkansas revenue above forecast for December

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas finance officials say a rise in individual income and sales tax collections helped push the state’s revenue in December above expectations and the same month in 2016.

The Department of Finance and Administration said Wednesday the state’s net available revenue in December totaled $521.1 million, which is

$53.7 million above December

2016 and $23.7 million above forecast. The state’s revenue so far for the fiscal year that began July 1 totals nearly $2.7 billion, which is $23.7 million above forecast.

The state’s individual income tax collections last month totaled $262.7 million, which is $28.8 million above December 2016 and $11.5 million above forecast. Sales tax collections totaled $220.1 million, which is

$17.2 million above December

2016 and $10.2 million above forecast.

Ex-John Brown student accused in threat

BENTONVILLE — A former student at John Brown University has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge involving the use of explosives.

The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that 20-year-old Timothy Constantin was charged Tuesday in Benton County with criminal acts involving explosives. He was released on a $75,000 bond.

Siloam Springs police allege they received a call in November about a suicidal person making comments about committing a mass shooting or bombing.

A probable cause affidavit shows police and university officers went to Constantin’s dorm room and found firearms and ammunition. They also allegedly found a note revealing he wanted to commit mass violence because of his hatred for society.

The affidavit says Constantin later told authorities he would use explosives if he wanted to commit a mass killing.

University officials say Constantin isn’t currently enrolled in classes.

ASP investigates officer-involved shooting

OZARK — Arkansas State Police agents are investigating an officer-involved shooting that led to the death of a 49-year-old man in Ozark.

Investigators say Ozark police were summoned to a residence where a domestic disturbance was reported late Tuesday. Witnesses say that Ronald Elliot had locked himself inside his bedroom and was armed with a gun.

Authorities say a woman entered the bedroom and tried to disarm Elliot before police arrived. Witnesses say an officer then entered the bedroom and instructed Elliot to put down the gun before a gunshot rang out.

Elliot died at an Ozark hospital and his body has been transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to determine the cause of death.

State Police did not release the name of the officer who was involved in the shooting.