Fort Smith Police say the suspect in the shooting of two people at an apartment complex turned himself in.
Police say 37-year-old Fredrick Newton turned himself before 3 a.m. Friday. He's now facing a first degree murder charge, as well as a felony possession of a firearm charge.
Police surrounded the Summit Terrace Apartments at 1501 N 37th Street late Thursday night where the suspected shooter was believed to have been held-up inside.
Cecil Dotson III, 27, was shot twice in the upper torso and in the head at approximately 10:23 p.m., according to police. Officers say he later died at a local hospital.
Dotson's brother, Rafael, was also shot and wounded.
Police say they received two conflicting reports from individuals at the scene.
“He said ‘I got shot. I got shot,’” said James Holliman, a neighbor.
Holliman says a stranger jumped the railing Thursday night and entered his apartment. “He went into my bathroom and grabbed a towel and all I know that he just left after that,” said Holliman.
Meanwhile, another person said Rafael, who was wounded, was being held hostage by the Newton at the apartment complex.
Due to the reports the suspect was still in the apartment complex, police surrounded the scene and SWAT team members worked to contact the apartment to see if anyone was inside.
According to Sgt. Daniel Grubbs, just before 2 a.m. Friday it was revealed that the apartment complex where the suspect was believed to be in was empty.
Police say the victim’s sister, Latoshia, dates Newton. Officers believe Newton made a rude comment about Latoshia and her brothers, Rafael and Cecil, confronted him about it. “Immediately right after the verbal confrontation began Mr. Newton produced a fire arm from him pants,” said Sgt. Daniel Grubbs.
Police confirm Cecil was shot twice, once in the head. Officers say Rafael was shot in the arm.
“I was really scared,” said Holliman, “I left my house last night. I just left.”
Newton is being held at the Sebastian County Detention Center without bond.
