Arkansas father kills man found with missing 14-year-old daughter: police

An Arkansas father is facing a potential murder charge after reportedly shooting and killing a man in his 60s who was found in a vehicle with his missing 14-year-old daughter.

According to a release from the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Oct. 8 to reports of a missing juvenile in the county, which is located about 75 miles north of Hot Springs.

While en route, they learned the missing 14-year-old girl’s father, Aaron Spencer, had found his daughter in a vehicle with Michael Fosler, a man in his 60s, the sheriff’s office told USA Today.

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A confrontation ensued, which ended with Spencer reportedly shooting Fosler. Fosler was pronounced dead at the scene.

Spencer was arrested for murder in the first degree and booked into jail. Jail records show he was released the following afternoon. Sheriff John Staley said in a followup video on Facebook that Spencer has not been formally charged yet. It’s up to the District Attorney’s Office to decide which charges to file.

"This is a tragic situation and my thoughts and prayers are with all involved," Staley said.

The child’s mother also posted about the incident on Facebook. She claimed Fosler, the man who was shot, had a "no contact order" with her daughter and they thought he might kill her.

"At the end of the day, our daughter is a victim and we have a long road of recovery for everyone," she said. "We are so thankful for all the calls, messages and prayers."