On Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 12:33 p.m., the Hot Springs Police Department received several calls in reference to a white male walking in the 300 block of Central Avenue causing a disturbance and threatening bystanders. While officers were responding to the scene, several callers advised that the suspect had some type of long gun.
Officers located the suspect in the 500 block of Central Avenue and at that point gunfire was exchanged and Officer First Class Jonathan Smith was struck twice. The suspect was also struck by gunfire.
The suspect has been identified as Jonathan Allen Scott (31) of Hot Springs. He is at a local Hospital in critical condition.
Officer Smith has been treated and released from the hospital.
The Arkansas State Police and Garland County Sheriff Department have assumed the investigation. As per departmental policy, the officers involved will be placed on administrative leave with pay.