In the quiet community of Bellefonte, Arkansas, the life of 63-year-old Dale Eugene McEntire came to a sudden and violent end. On Monday, June 26, 2023, McEntire was discovered deceased in his home, the victim of a gunshot wound. Investigators believe the fatal shooting likely occurred sometime during the night before his body was found. The discovery prompted an immediate and intensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The inquiry into McEntire's death brought
together the resources of several law enforcement agencies. The Boone County Sheriff's Office, the Harrison Police Department, and special agents with the Arkansas State Police collaborated to piece together the events that led to the homicide. Their joint efforts quickly pointed them toward a person of interest.
The investigation culminated in the arrest of Donnie Calderwood Jr., a 28-year-old resident of nearby Harrison. Calderwood was taken into custody in connection with McEntire's death and is being held without bond. He faces tentative charges of capital murder and aggravated residential burglary, suggesting that the incident may have occurred during a home invasion. As the legal process unfolds, the community is left to grapple with the loss of one of its own.
