On June 23, 2011 at 4:13 P.M. the Howard County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding a gunshot victim in Dierks.  The caller reported that a gun had accidently discharged and his friend had been shot in the side of his chest.

Dierks First Responders and the Howard County Ambulance Service were dispatched to the scene.  Dierks Officer John McKee arrived and secured the scene and was assisted by Howard County Deputy Joey Davis and Dierks Officer Jason Icenhower.  Howard County Investigator David Shelton was sent to the scene to investigate the incident.

The victim is a 13 year old white male from Dierks.  The victim’s 14 year old friend was apparently handling a 32 cal. pistol when it discharged and struck the victim in the right side of his chest.

The victim was flown to Arkansas Children’s Hospital by Life Net Air where he remains in serious condition.

The incident is still under investigation by the Dierks Police Department and the Howard County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Butch Morris