LONOKE, Ark. — An Arkansas father is being charged with second degree murder after shooting a man he found in a car with his teenage daughter.
According to reports from the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office, in the incident happened around 1:12 a.m. on October 8, when deputies were called to a home on Highway 236 East with reports of a missing 14-year-old girl.
Reports said that the father of the teen, Aaron Spencer, had reportedly found the teen inside a vehicle with a man identified as Michael Fosler.
A confrontation between Spencer and Fosler ensued and as frustrations grew, Fosler was allegedly shot by Spencer. Authorities arrived at the scene, which is where they pronounced Fosler dead.
Following the incident, Spencer was taken into custody and transported to the Lonoke County Detention Center where he is being charged with second degree murder charge for the alleged shooting of Fosler.
Following his arrest, Spencer's lawyers released the following statement:
"We are not just disappointed – we are outraged by this decision. Aaron Spencer is a decorated war hero who protected his country and a loving father whose heroic actions protected his family. He is certainly not a criminal. He did what any father would do – and any trained combat veteran would do – to protect his child from a predator."
According to court files, authorities said Fosler was charged with two counts of alleged internet talking of a child, two counts of 4th degree sexual assault, and two counts of sexual indecency with a child.
Additionally, Fosler was also charged with 36 counts of child sexual abuse material possession.
No information has been released on whether or not the family had any connection to Fosler, but officials did confirm that the teen is now safe.
The investigation into this incident remains ongoing and we will update with more information as soon as it becomes available.