A 29-year-old man is behind bars after police say he is suspected of fighting at a Fort Smith night club with a man who later died.
Dustin Smith was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of violating his parole. He is also being investigated in the fight at the club that left one man dead, said Sgt. Daniel Grubbs, Fort Smith Police Department spokesman. Grubbs said the man is not under arrest on suspicion of the victim's death.
The video above shows the fight, in which it appears one man punches another man at the club. Police said the offender connected with a single punch, with the victim later dying in the hospital.
Paul Weaver, 38, of Van Buren died Monday night after the altercation, officials said.
Weaver had gone to the Foxfire Club on Towson Avenue Sunday night (Feb. 9) with a close friend, according to his mother, Patricia Ann Weaver. His mother said Weaver at some point got into an argument with someone at the nightclub and a fight broke out.
Authorities said they received a call about the incident around 7:25 a.m. on Monday. When authorities arrived at the site, they said they found Weaver on the ground, covered in a blanket.
Investigators said he had a minor facial injury and was unresponsive at that time. He was then taken to Sparks Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. Grubbs said he was then transported to Peachtree Hospice in Fort Smith, where he was pronounced dead at 8:45 p.m. Monday.
Authorities said the friend who was with Weaver at the nightclub told them that the victim and Smith were the two who fought.
Smith is being held at the Sebastian County Detention Center without bond, according to Investigator Philip Pevehouse.
The case is still under investigation and more charges are possible, authorities said.
Grubbs said Smith has admitted to to punching Weaver one time after being approached aggressively.
Weaver's body has been sent to the State Crime Lab in Little Rock for an autopsy, according to authorities.
