Jonesboro, Arkansas

From the Jonesboro Sun of March 3, 2007

Victim, robber both armed

A Craighead County man got more than he bargained for early Friday morning after apparently choosing the wrong resident to rob.

The early-morning alleged attempted robbery ended in a shoot-out, though no one was injured, police said.

Walter D. Hatton, 22, 820 West Huntington Ave., Jonesboro, was arrested around 4 a.m. Friday after he allegedly forced his way inside a Jonesboro home and fired a shot at the 64-year-old man inside.

Detective Chad Hogard wrote in his probable cause affidavit that officers were dispatched to 211 Maple St. around 3:45 a.m.

He wrote that patrol officers "had picked Dale Hatton up just down the street with blood coming from his head. The victim was in bed and heard someone trying to kick in his front door."

The victim, Ray Horton, told police the suspect entered his home and fired a 9mm bullet at him during a struggle and missed.

But Horton had a weapon of his own -- a shotgun.

"During the struggle the victim struck Hatton in the head with the barrel of a shotgun," Hogard wrote. "The two then wrestled onto the bed leaving blood evidence on the bed sheets."

Horton then attempted to shoot Hatton, but the suspect managed to grab the barrel of the shotgun, forcing it toward the ceiling where the blast struck.

"Hatton then grabbed the shotgun away from the victim and ran out the door," Hogard added. "Both guns were recovered."

The shotgun was recovered in a tree line near Parker Park and the 9mm on a lawn across the street from the park.

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