Deputies unsure why man shot to death: Prosecutors believe Rigsby killed by nephew
A Baker Mountain man is behind bars after he allegedly shot and killed his uncle Friday afternoon.
The suspect, Adam Rigsby, 25, is charged with first-degree murder for the slaying of Paul Rigsby, 32. The suspect is being held at Van Buren County Jail under a $500,000 bond awaiting arraignment.
The shooting happened around 3 p.m. Friday at Adam Rigsby’s residence on Baker Mountain in Van Buren County. According to District Attorney General Dale Potter, whose office investigated the slaying along with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department, Adam Rigsby became angry at his uncle for unspecified reasons and pulled a high-powered rifle on the victim.
Sheriff’s department sources say the suspect had a history of mental problems and had been urged to seek further treatment prior to Friday’s tragedy. It is believed the shooting happened after the suspect summoned his uncle to the residence and met him at the door with the rifle.
He then fired a single round from the .243 caliber weapon, striking his uncle in the chest with the blast while the victim stood on the porch. The victim was rushed to River Park Hospital from the scene and pronounced dead. An autopsy was under way Saturday.
Immediately following the shooting, Adam Rigsby discarded the murder weapon and fled into the woods. A large-scale manhunt was then mounted as tracking dogs were brought in to find his trail. The shooter was found hiding in a ditch off Baker Mountain Road six hours after the shooting.
Paul Rigsby was described by friends Saturday as one of the kindest people you would ever meet. His sudden death hit his family especially hard. He leaves behind a wife, Sharon, and a 10-month-old daughter. Sharon is also pregnant with a baby due this summer.
Funeral arrangements will be handled by Love-Cantrell & Cope Spencer Chapel. Arrangements were not finalized at press time.