04/08/15 Ouachita County Circuit Court

Charges of aggravated cruelty to animals have been filed in Circuit Court in Camden against 21 year old John Love of Sparkman. The charges were filed following a shooting incident that occurred on February 15 at an address on Ouachita 97, near Bearden. According to a report filed in court, It. Cedric Gregory was called to 571 Cypress Street in Bearden early on the morning of the 15 in response to a gunshot victim. Gregory was told by Rebecca Arnold that her son, Michael Scott Arnold had been shot in the right side of his head.

Arnold was found sitting in a chair bleeding profusely from his head and ear wound. Arnold stated he was standing in front of his mother's house with Mike Sparkman and three other subjects pulled up and asked him to come to the address on Ouachita 97 just to hang out. Arnold said when they arrived at the residence and got inside, an argument broke out over drugs.

A man first identified James Anthony, but in fact was Gordon Barnes began to question Arnold about taking some drugs from Sparkman. Barnes pulled out a hand gun and kept arguing with Arnold and the gun discharged striking Arnold on the right side of his head and ear.  Arnold said he left the residence and headed back to his mother's place, not realizing that he was shot. Arnold was taken to Ouachita County Medical Center and his wounds required several stitches. The bullet grazed the side of his head. 

During an interview with County CID officers, Love stated before the incident that Gordon Barner, Cody and Mike Sparkman, and himself went to Arnold's house, but he wasn't home.  Love said Barner broke into the house, vandalized it, and killed a dog inside the home with his handgun, a 357 magnum. The 35 year old Barner has been charged by the prosecutor with battery and possession of a firearm by a felon. Barner told investigators he did not shoot Arnold. He claimed he shot high and wide, but did not shoot Arnold.

Cody Sparkman admitted to investigator Michael Davidson that he struck Arnold in the head, but didn't know he had been shot.