Kin of suspect in Gwatney death baffled

The Associated Press

The family of the man who killed Arkansas Democratic Party Chairman Bill Gwatney said Friday the shooting was “beyond our understanding,” and offered sympathy for Gwatney’s loved ones.

The sisters of Timothy Dale Johnson, who was shot dead by police after a chase that ended Wednesday in Grant County, offered “our deepest, sincere sympathy to Mr. Gwatney’s family.”

“Our hearts are heavy with grief for your loss,” said a written statement, released by Grant County Sheriff Lance Huey at the family’s request. The statement did not identify the sisters.

The statement amounted to the first public comments made by Johnson’s relatives. It did not, however, provide any further clues as to what motivated Johnson to barge into the state Democratic Party headquarters in Little Rock and shoot Gwatney several times.

“We ask the media for time and privacy as we seek to deal with this tragedy, which is beyond our understanding,” the statement said.

Final arrangements for both Gwatney and his assailant will reflect how both lived.

Gwatney, a man who straddled politics and business, will be honored by Gov. Mike Beebe at a high-profile Little Rock church where organizers are already preparing for an overflow crowd. Johnson’s family doesn’t plan to hold a funeral.

Few other details emerged about Johnson on Friday as police continued to probe his background.

“We’re still working at it, but we just don’t have that much new,” Little Rock Police spokesman Lt. Terry Hastings said.

Johnson had taken classes during the spring semester at Arkansas State University-Beebe as he pursued an associate’s degree in computer systems and networking technology, said school spokesman Colbie Falwell. She said Johnson also was enrolled for fall classes at the 5,000-student branch campus.

“We have no record that he was ever any trouble on this campus,” Falwell said.

Randy Groomes of Leola said Johnson had been in his forestry class years ago at Red River Vocational Technical School in Hope. Groomes said Johnson attended a class reunion at Groomes’ home only days before the shooting.

Groomes, who hadn’t seen Johnson in 30 years, said Johnson seemed to be enjoying himself at the Saturday get-together and displayed no signs of depression or anger toward anyone.

“To me, he was no different then when I went to the forestry school with him,” Groomes said. “I would bet my last dollar that that boy did not have a violent bone in his body. He was a little bit shy. But he was just smart as a whip. He could just remember everything he read.”

Police investigating the shooting said they had so far not found any link between Johnson and Gwatney.

Police said Johnson, 50, owned at least 16 guns, had antidepressant pills and made out a will before shooting Gwatney. He had driven there more than 30 miles after quitting his job at a Target store over some graffiti written on a store wall.

The name “Gwatney” and a telephone number were written on a Post-It note found in Johnson’s home, police said. They wouldn’t say whether the number matched the Democratic headquarters or a Gwatney-owned car dealership, if either.

Medical examiners released Johnson’s body Friday to the McEuen Funeral Home of Searcy. Funeral home manager J.T. DeWitt said Johnson’s family asked that details of the arrangements be private, but said there were no plans for a service.

Johnson’s parents, Vernon and Mathel, are both buried at the White County Memorial Gardens in Searcy. As of Friday, no plot had been purchased in Johnson’s name.

Pulaski County Prosecutor Larry Jegley would not release the autopsy report for either Gwatney or Johnson until police had completed their investigation of the shooting. Pulaski County Coroner Garland Camper said both Gwatney and Johnson died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Beebe, who served with Gwatney in the state Senate, on Friday cancelled his weekly radio address and column. His office said the governor would not make any public appearances until Gwatney’s funeral.

Tributes continued around the Capitol for Gwatney, who served 10 years as a state senator and who helped engineer a sweep of statewide offices in 2006. A book for visitors to write condolences was set up in the Capitol rotunda as flowers continued to be placed in front of the party headquarters two blocks away from the Capitol.

Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample said that, so far, there were no plans for a memorial for Gwatney at the Capitol. DeCample said flags at the state Capitol will be flown at half-staff Monday.

Gwatney’s funeral is set for at 2 p.m. Monday at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock, according to Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home in North Little Rock. Two public visitations will be held Sunday at the funeral home, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The funeral will be open to the public, and overflow seating is planned in anticipation of a large crowd.

For more information see Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.