Crawfordsville, Arkansas

From the West Memphis Evening Times of December 28, 2004

Victim shoots robbers in C'ville

Despite being shot, an 80 year-old Crawfordsville man was able to hold his own against two would-be robbers last night, leaving one man dead and another wounded.

According to Investigator Thomas Martin with the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department, Clarence Cochran operates a small store which is called The Neighborhood Store out of his home on Greene Street in Crawfordsville.

Martin said that Cochran was approached by two black male suspects last night around 8:30 p.m., and the situation quickly escalated from there.

"It appears that the two black male suspects entered the store with the intent of robbing it. One of the men shot at the homeowner, striking him in the abdomen," said Martin. "Mr. Cochran then retrieved his own weapon, a .38 caliber pistol, and shot at both suspects striking them both."

Cochran was airlifted from the scene to The Med. Deputies on the scene said that Cochran was alert and able to speak to them, but due to his age and the injury, he was airlifted out as a precautionary measure.

Martin said that of the two suspects who were shot by Cochran, one suspect was pronounced dead on the scene.

"We do not have an identification on the deceased suspect at this time, however, we do believe that we know who the man is. We are waiting on positive identification before we release his name," said Martin.

The second suspect, Antonio Bass, 21, left the scene. However, he was identified by witnesses and was later apprehended at Crittenden Memorial Hospital when he arrived for treatment of his gunshot wounds, according to Martin. He gave police an address of 2802 E. Jackson in West Memphis.

"Bass has been charged with aggravated robbery, and is currently being held at The Med in Memphis where he is receiving further treatment of his wounds," said Martin.