Fort Smith Police are on the lookout for a suspect involved in a shooting Tuesday morning at an apartment complex.
Authorities were notified of the shooting just after 6 a.m. at the College Terrace Apartments at 4301 Kinkead Ave.
Police say 39-year-old Thomas Smith was alone in his apartment when two men knocked on his door with guns informing they were there to rob him.
"He asked if he could put on some pants prior to the robbery and apparently he had a small handgun inside the pocket of his jeans," said Sgt. Daniel Grubbs.
Police say one of those suspects is 25-year-old Justin Spencer, who was arrested in April for possession of prescription drugs.
Police say Smith asked to put his pants on, and reached for a gun inside. That's when police say a shootout, possibly between the three happened.
Smith was shot in the shoulder, Spencer was shot twice in the stomach. Both men were found in the courtyard of the complex. Smith was treated and released from a local hospital. Sgt. Grubbs says Spencer remains in the hospital. He says investigators won't be able to question him until after a surgery. He's being held under officer supervision and is expected to be charged with felon in possession of a firearm, according to Sgt. Grubbs.
None of the injuries are life threatening.
Police say the third man involved took off from the scene. Authorities say they are looking for a Hispanic man in his twenties who is heavily tattooed. He was last seen wearing a white tank-top shirt and blue jeans, according to police.
At this time, police say only one gun has been recovered from the scene, but it appears multiple were fired. They also say they found evidence on drugs inside the apartment.
Officers say Spencer told police he was going to buy drugs. Evidence of marijuana was found inside Smith's apartment.
"According to the victim, he has no idea who these two are, or had never met them," said Sgt. Grubbs.
Any information you may have you are asked to call the River Valley Crimestoppers at (479) 78-CRIME.
