Authorities have announced the arrest of two people wanted in connection to the shooting death of Boone County, Ark. man Tim Blackburn.
The Searcy County Sheriff and two agents from a the drug task force apprehended the two suspects, Jason Lee Stockstill, age 49, and Heather Dawn Scallion, age 38, on Thursday afternoon.
Stockstill and Scallion were arrested around 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Searcy County.
The arrests come one week after the Boone County Sheriff’s Office launched a homicide investigation into the shooting death of Blackburn.
A manhunt for the suspects began in Searcy County. Authorities stated Stockstill escaped into the woods near the Buffalo National River area after authorities tried to stop the vehicle he was in on U.S. 65 in St. Joe, Arkansas.
Authorities say before the arrests, rangers with the Buffalo National River stated Stockstill and Scallion were attempting to flag down a driver on Calf Creek Road in the vicinity of the Middle District of the Buffalo National River.
Authorities closed the Tyler Bend River Access Point, Tyler Bend Visitor Center, and Tyler Bend Campground for several days due to the manhunt.
Investigators stated Stockstill was armed and dangerous. Stockstill was accompanied by Scallion when arrested and both have now been sent to the Searcy County Detention Center.
The manhunt included Searcy County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, Marshall Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Department, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Federal Park Service, 20th Judicial Task Force, Boone County Task Force, and tracking dogs from the North Central Prison Unit in Calico Rock.
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Boone County Sheriff Tim Roberson reported at 7:00 p.m. last night that officers are still attempting to locate and apprehend the two suspects being sought for the murder of Tim Blackburn.
Efforts to locate the two around Grinder’s Ferry in Searcy County for the last 48 plus hours have been unsuccessful. The efforts consist of ground searches utilizing man power from multiple agencies, K-9’s and air support. Officers have also responded to a number of possible sightings reported from surrounding counties that were unfounded. Both suspects, Jason Lee Stockstill and Heather Dawn Scallion are considered armed and dangerous.
At this time there have been no confirmed sightings in the area and the Sheriff stresses that efforts to locate the two suspects and take them into custody will continue. If any person has information concerning their whereabouts, they are urged to contact law enforcement. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the department website located at www.boonesheriff.com or by calling 870-741-8404