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| Bill Gwatney |
A gunman opened fire at the Arkansas Democratic Party headquarters in Little Rock on Wednesday, wounding chairman Bill Gwatney. An unidentified man reportedly asked to speak with Gwatney, but was turned away by a secretary. He then forced his way into Gwatney’s office and began shooting. Gwatney was taken to a local hospital by ambulance in critical condition. The gunman was reportedly shot by police and apprehended.
According to witnesses on the scene, an unidentified man entered the Arkansas Democratic Party headquarters on Wednesday and asked to speak to chairman Bill Gwatney. A secretary at the office denied the man entry into Gwatney’s office, according to USA Today. The man then forced his way into Gwatney’s office and began shooting at the party chairman.
“He came in and went into this office and started shooting,” police representative Lt. Terry Hastings said in a statement to reporters at the scene, according to The Associated Press.
Gwatney was reportedly taken to a local hospital via ambulance in critical condition. Witnesses on the scene reported hearing three gun shots, but it is unknown at this time how many times Gwatney was shot.
According to local authorities, the suspect was chased down and arrested after being shot by police. The identity of the gunman has not yet been released. A witness on the scene described him as a white man in his 40s driving a blue truck. His motive for shooting Gwatney is unknown at this time. The FBI is currently coordinating with local police officials in the investigation of the shooting, according to the AP.
Gwatney currently serves as the State Chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas and is a superdelegate for the state to the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Previously, Gwatney served as a State Senator for Arkansas and State Attorney General.
