Joint Release
Gassville Police Chief, Tim Mayfield
Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery

 

The manhunt for 28-year old Alton Bruce Cooke ended this afternoon after he was found deceased at a residence, 501 Kirkland Street, Gassville, Arkansas.

Investigators from several agencies interviewed numerous people and followed up on several leads over the past two days. Late this morning, investigators developed information that Cooke was possibly at this residence.  Surveillance was set up on the residence and at approximately 1:30 pm, Investigators made contact with two people at the residence who stated the suspect, Cooke was there and had run into a back room.  He was reported to be armed with a handgun.

Law Enforcement Officers surrounded the house and evacuated the surrounding homes. Numerous attempts over several hours were made in an attempt to communicate with suspect Cooke.  At Approximately 5:30 pm, tear gas was deployed and shortly thereafter, the Mountain Home Police Department Special Response Team made entry into the house and found suspect Cooke deceased in a self-made barricaded area of the house.  Based on evidence at the scene, indications are that Cooke died from a self-inflicted gun shot to the head.  A 9mm semi-automatic pistol was found in his hand. 

Alton Bruce Cooke's Body will be sent the Medical Examiner's Office in Little Rock to confirm the cause and manner of death.

The investigation is continuing with charges likely on person or persons who may have assisted Cooke.

We would like to thank all the law enforcement who worked tirelessly over the past two days and to the numerous citizens who called in information and tips to law enforcement.

Agencies Involved:

Arkansas Department of Community Corrections Absconder Unit
Mountain Home Police Department
US Marshall's Office
Arkansas Department of Corrections Tracking Dog Unit
Flippin Police Department
Gassville Fire Department
Baxter County Coroner Office
Gassville Police Department
Baxter County Sheriff's Office

Chief Tim Mayfield
Sheriff John Montgomery

 

***************************************
Original Press Release
***************************************

 

UPDATE:

4:45 pm October 30, 2019: Update on search for Alton Bruce Cooke

 

The search for 28-year old Alton Bruce Cooke continues.  The manhunt this morning had centered in an area near CR 502 in the Promise Land Area.  The vehicle, a Black 2010 GMC Sierra truck, which was the vehicle the suspect had driven and used in the assault this morning, was found wrecked in the woods in that area. Tracking dogs from the Calico Rock Prison were being used in an attempt to locate the suspect. A piece of clothing believed to have been worn by the suspect was also found near a residence in that area.

Around noon today the search in the Promise Land area was scaled back. Several leads and numerous interviews have been conducted by Investigators with a search warrant being executed on the suspect's vehicle.  The Arkansas Department of Community Corrections Absconder Team was contacted, and they are now assisting in the search for Cooke.

A warrant of arrest has been issued for Alton Bruce Cook.  The charges are:

Attempted First Degree Murder, 2-Counts           Class Y Felony
Felon in Possession of a Firearm                            Class B Felony
Unauthorized Use of Another Person's Property to Commit a Crime         Class B Felony
Battery in the 1st Degree                                         Class B Felony
Aggravated Assault, 4-Counts                                Class D Felony

The Judge signing the warrant of arrest set the bond at $500,000.

Alton Bruce Cooke is considered armed and dangerous.  Anyone who has information on Cooke's whereabouts are asked to contact the Baxter County Sheriff's Office at 870-425-7000 or call 911.

Sheriff John Montgomery

*********************************************************************

 

Manhunt Underway For Suspect in Shooting Incident

 

9:15 am. The Baxter County Sheriff's Office and the Dog Tracking Team from the North Central Arkansas Department of Corrections are currently searching for a suspect involved in an early morning shooting.  The search is concentrated in an area near CR 502 in the Promise Land area, northwest Baxter County.

The suspect, 28-year old Alton Bruce Cooke is considered armed and dangerous. 

Description:

6 ft 3 inches
210 pounds
Brown Hair
Hazel Eyes

 

The incident took place around 5 am this morning on Highway 178 West in Midway, Arkansas.  Preliminary investigation indicates the victim and her male passenger, turned from Highway 5 North onto Highway 178. The suspect, driving a 2010 GMC, black in color, intentionally rammed her vehicle.  A short distance later the suspect rammed her vehicle a second time causing her to wreck in a yard near the Midway Post Office. The suspect then fired multiple shots into the suspect's vehicle and fled the area.  Both Victims were injured from the gunshot and were transported to Baxter Regional Medical Center where they were treated and released. Indications are the female victim and suspect had a past relationship.

No further information will be released at this time.  The names of the victims are not being released at this time.

Sheriff John Montgomery