A Yell County, Arkansas Sheriff's deputy was fatally shot along with two other people Thursday morning and the suspected gunman was in an ongoing standoff with authorities.
Lt. Kevin C. Mainhart was shot after he made a traffic stop on Highway 27 near the junction of Slo Fork Road around 7:15 a.m. after spotting a vehicle believed to be associated with an earlier disturbance call, according to KARK-TV.
The 46-year-old deputy was pronounced dead on the scene after a passing driving discovered he had been shot.
Officers responded to 10024 Gum Springs Road where the earlier disturbance was reported and found the bodies of two other people outside the home. The idenities of the two civilians found dead and the suspect have not been released.
Authories are currently in a standoff with the suspect and were attmepting to make contact with him.
Mainhart served with the Yell County Sheriff's Department for five years and had previously retired from the West Memphis Police Department following a career of more than 20 years.
Funeral arrangements are pending.