The Arkansas State Police held a press conference Sunday afternoon in Dumas at the Southeast Arkansas Law Enforcement Center to provide an update following a mass shooting that occurred at a Delta N.E.Y.O. (Hood-Nic) community car show that was being held at 611 Highway 65 South in Dumas.
Col. Bill Bryant, the Commander of the Arkansas State Police, addressed the media saying 28 people were shot. Six of those 28 people were children. Five of the six juvenile victims have been released from the hospital.
There was one fatality due to the shooting. 23-year-old Cameron Schaffer of Jacksonville, according to Bryant. There is no indication that Schaffer was involved in the gun fight, according to Bryant.
One suspect has been arrested and is being held on charges that do not pertain to the shooting incident. The name of that suspect has not been released. Additionally, the Arkansas State Police is following leads regarding a second suspect. Bryant said this was not intended to be a mass shooting event. It began as two individuals starting a gun fight.
Bryant said that is shocking to have an event like this in such a small community.
Arkansas State Police Lieutenant Robert Wilson said that the Hood-Nic organizers have been cooperating with law enforcement during the investigation.
According to their website Hood-Nic is an organization based in Dumas that helps to provide backpacks with school supplies and foot, scholarships, tutoring, and more for youth in poverty. They host fundraisers, live music events, car shows, and more as ways to raise money for the items they provide the community.
Saturday’s shooting will be one of the largest mass shootings in Arkansas history. A 2017 shooting at the Power Ultra Lounge nightclub in downtown Little Rock saw 29 shooting victims. None of those victims died due to their injuries. Saturday’s shooting in Dumas saw 28 shooting victims with one person being killed in the incident.
