STATE POLICE CID OPEN INVESTIGATION OF DOWNTOWN STUTTGART HOMICIDE

The body of a 27 year-old Stuttgart man was found in a downtown alleyway by local police officers shortly after 9 AM today. Dalton Smith was pronounced dead at a resident behind 1108 South Grand Street.

Stuttgart authorities have requested the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation take charge of the case. Special agents preliminarily believe Smith was the victim of a gunshot.

After collecting evidence found at the scene, agents have spent much of the day canvasing the area, talking to neighbors who may have heard or seen something earlier today or last night.

Smith’s body will be transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory where a manner and cause of death, and time of death, will be determined.

As of the afternoon of October 16, no suspects have been identified and the investigation is continuing. Agents will submit a criminal case file to the Arkansas County prosecuting attorney upon completion of their investigation.