An Arkansas father, Aaron Spencer, 36, was arrested after allegedly shooting and killing a man who was found in a vehicle with his missing 14-year-old daughter.
The incident occurred after Spencer reported his daughter missing on Tuesday, prompting deputies from the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office to respond to his home.
Before deputies arrived, Spencer reportedly found his daughter in a vehicle with Michael Fosler, 67.
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A confrontation between Spencer and Fosler ensued, during which Spencer allegedly shot and killed Fosler.
Spencer was arrested on a preliminary charge of first-degree murder, a Class Y felony in Arkansas.
He was booked into the Lonoke County Detention Center and later released after posting bail the next day.
Sheriff John Staley addressed the public in a video posted to Facebook, stating that while Spencer had been arrested, formal charges had not yet been filed.
The decision on which charges to pursue will be made by the District Attorney’s Office. “This is a tragic situation and my thoughts and prayers are with all involved,” Staley said.
Spencer’s wife, Heather, took to social media to provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident. She stated that Fosler had previously been the subject of a “no contact order” with their daughter after allegedly stalking and raping her over the summer.
Heather Spencer expressed that she and her husband feared for their daughter’s safety and had no knowledge that Fosler was once again in contact with her.
“We absolutely called 911 during the entire event,” Heather wrote on Facebook. “We had no idea this man was in contact with our child again. He was waiting on 6-9 felony charges for what he did… and our daughter was the only witness.”
Heather Spencer also criticized how the case was handled by local law enforcement, accusing them of providing more privacy to Fosler than to her family.
She expressed frustration over their home address being made public by the authorities. “I’m deeply offended by the way this was handled by the county [sheriff’s] office,” she said.
She added that their daughter was a victim and emphasized the long road to recovery for their family.
Fosler had previously been arrested in July for internet stalking of a child and sexual assault, according to Sheriff Staley.
Fosler, a former chief of police in Indiana, had reportedly been awaiting trial on multiple felony charges related to those allegations.
Sheriff Staley further commented on the situation, stating, “I absolutely do not support predators… I’m a daddy. I have three daughters. I know she’s hurt right now, but there’s absolutely nobody I would put ahead of our children, their children, my children.”
Deputies are continuing to investigate the events leading up to the shooting. Sheriff Staley explained the investigative process, saying, “When we get on scene and there’s a homicide, it means one person took the life of another. It’s either justified or not justified. That’s what the fact-finding, that’s what the investigation is going to find out.”
In response to her husband’s arrest, Heather Spencer set up a GoFundMe to raise money for his legal defense.
However, the fundraising platform removed the campaign, citing its terms of service, which prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of individuals charged with violent crimes.
The family is now accepting donations through Venmo and Cash App to cover legal fees.
“My husband is a hero and we are so thankful to have him home with us for now,” Heather wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday. “We want to do everything possible to ensure he can continue to be here to protect us.”
Heather also expressed gratitude to other victims who came forward with their own allegations against Fosler, stating, “We have gotten a clear picture of a predator who continuously worked with children and preyed on young girls.”
The case remains under investigation by the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office.
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