Arkansas inmate shot at Varner Unit ‘while attempting to flee’

GOULD, Ark. – Officials with the Arkansas Department of Corrections confirmed on Thursday that an inmate at the Varner Unit had been shot.

The inmate, whose name officials did not disclose, was on field duty and “made an attempt to flee the area,” they said. They added that the officer fired two shots, striking the inmate.

The inmate has been taken to a local hospital and is having his wounds assessed, officials said.

Corrections officials added that Internal Affairs and the Arkansas State Police are investigating. The officer who fired the shots was placed on leave.

The department released no additional information.

In 2016, officers at the Varner Unit shot and killed 41-year-old inmate Christopher Wilson during an escape attempt. Wilson was serving a life term for killing a mother and her eight-month-old infant in Faulkner County in 2002.

The Arkansas death row for male inmates is at the Varner Supermax unit.