A somber turn of events unfolded at Coal Hill City Park in Arkansas when police discovered a 68-year-old man dead from a gunshot wound. The victim, identified as Kenneth E. Michaels of Clarksville, was found around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Within the hour, authorities arrested 25-year-old Colton Contant of Coal Hill, who is now facing a murder charge. Local and state law-enforcement agencies are still probing the circumstances that led to the deadly shooting.
Park Incident and Immediate Response
According to the Arkansas State Police (ASP), officers responded to a report of a possible shooting at Coal Hill City Park shortly after 3:30 p.m. Witnesses said a man fled the scene, and within roughly 30 minutes, Contant was taken into custody without incident. He was booked into the Johnson County Detention Center and charged with first-degree murder.
Victim & Suspect Profile
Authorities identified the victim as Kenneth E. Michaels, aged 68, from Clarksville. Investigators say Contant, 25, is from Coal Hill and was seen running from the park immediately after the incident. There has been no release of a stated motive, and the investigation remains active.
Investigation Continues
Law enforcement teams from the Coal Hill Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and the ASP are collaborating on the case. They have not disclosed whether multiple shots were fired, nor if more suspects are involved. The park remains a crime scene while investigators seek to piece together the exact sequence of events.
