Arkansas State Police are investigating a shooting that happened late Friday evening in Hempstead County.

Just after 11:00 p.m., Arkansas State Police were dispatched to the 21 mile mark of Interstate 30 East Bound, in reference to a shooting.

Upon arrival, officials say Michele Alford age 33 of Hector, Arkansas was found to have a possible gunshot wound to the cheek and nose area of the face.

Alford was transported by helicopter to UAMS due to her injuries.
The other occupants of the vehicle, Joe Alford age 29, of Hector, Arkansas, 15 year old Ryan Slonaker of Hector, Arkansas, and 12 year old Ethan Allison of Hector, Arkansas were escorted to the Arkansas State Police Troop G headquarters in Hope for interviews.

Deputies spoke to Ryan Slonaker who stated that he had been taken to Texarkana for custody exchange. He told Deputies that his step mother took him to Texarkana where he met his mother Michele Alford. Ryan stated that he, Michele Alford, Joe Alford, and Ethan Allison were traveling East bound on Interstate 30 and that he did not observe any vehicles in front or behind.

He stated that a vehicle without its lights on pulled up next to the vehicle he was in. He stated that he heard "a pop and a boom." and that his mother, Michele Alford who was driving began to slow down and pull off the roadway.

Ryan said that he observed that the vehicle next to them was a dark blue or dark gray truck, possible an older model GMC extended cab. He said that the truck slowed as they did but not at the same rate. He said that after his vehicle stopped, the truck left at a high rate of speed.

Ryan told Deputies that he was unable to observe the license number or state of origin for the license plate of the truck.

Deputies asked Ryan if they had stopped for food or gas prior to the incident. He stated that they had stopped for gas and nothing out of the ordinary had happened when they stopped for gas.

Ryan told Deputies he did not recognize the truck. The incident is under investigation by the Arkansas State Police and The Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office.