Arrest Made In Shooting Spree

By David Howell

Editor

WATER VALLEY – A resident of the Boat Landing area west of Water Valley was taken into custody Sunday morning just after 7 a.m. without incident after allegedly going on a shooting spree in his neighborhood earlier that morning. Sheriff Lance Humphreys reported Tim Tucker, 49, faces at least seven charges  four counts of attempted aggravated assault, two counts of felony malicious mischief and one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling. 

Humphreys said Tucker sent word after the shooting that he would turn himself in to the sheriff.

“I was able to reach him on the phone and he agreed to meet me at the sheriff’s department,” Humphreys told the Herald. About 30 minutes after that conversation, Tucker arrived at the sheriff’s department and Humphreys made the arrest without an altercation. The sheriff also said he recovered a semi-automatic rifle allegedly used in the shooting in Tucker’s truck. 

The shooting remains under investigation and Humphreys said he is still sorting out all the details. 

“We believe that he made some threats to other people during the course of events Sunday morning,” the sheriff explained.  Prior to the conversation with Tucker, Humphreys said he had a description of his vehicle, a white Ford pickup, but was unable to locate the truck.

“Before he came to the sheriff’s department to turn himself in, we know he was on the south end of the county because he stopped and tried to purchase beer at a store in Coffeeville.”

An initial hearing was scheduled Tuesday where a bond was to be set in justice court for the charges. If convicted, Humphreys said Tucker faces a maximum of 10 years on each count, plus fines and restitution. One vehicle had over $5,000 in damage in the incident.

“We are very thankful that this situation was resolved without anyone being injured, it was a very dangerous ordeal,” the sheriff added.