This story was updated to include statements from the Springdale Police Department and Rodeo of the Ozarks.
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas police have arrested a man on an attempted capital murder charge in a shooting that caused mass flight from a concert in the state’s northwest.
Officers arrived at Parsons Stadium in Springdale soon before 11 p.m. Saturday to find a crowd fleeing and a man in his twenties with a gunshot wound in the “upper torso,” city police said in a statement. Capt. Jeff Taylor told The Associated Press he did not know who was performing or whether anyone else was injured in the evacuation.
Paramedics took the wounded man to a local hospital where witnesses told investigators that the suspected gunman was Erik Navareyes, according to the statement.
Around 1 a.m. Sunday, officers found Navareyes at a hospital in the neighboring community of Rogers. Police said hospital staff told them the 21-year-old had sough treatment there, saying he was in a fight and shot someone.
Police arrested Navareyes and took him to the Washington County jail. He was not listed in jail records Sunday afternoon and Taylor told The Associated Press he did not know whether the man has a lawyer.
Taylor said the gunshot victim survived but that he could not provide additional information on his health.
Statement from Rodeo of the Ozarks
On July 9, 2022, Parsons Stadium facilities were being leased for a non-Rodeo of the Ozarks/ Springdale Benevolent Foundation event. During which, according to the Springdale Police Department, an event goer was shot and injured. The shooter later came to the hospital, was apprehended, and is being held at Washington County Jail. Our organization’s Board of Directors is deeply saddened and appalled by this incident. We take event security and culture seriously and hold our renters to the highest expectations. Parsons Stadium is a venue for safe, family-friendly events for our community and this does not represent what we stand for. We will be revisiting our leasing policy and discussing event security and safety. We are deeply grateful for the fast action of the Springdale Police Officers. Our thoughts are with the injured young man, his family, and those who witnessed this disturbing, heart-breaking incident.
Statement from Springdale Police Department
