On a Thursday evening in Perryville, Arkansas, the life of 31-year-old William J. Bates was cut short by a fatal shooting. The incident, which occurred on January 29, 2015, prompted an investigation by the Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division. Authorities were called to a residence on State Highway 60, just two miles west of Perryville, following reports of a disturbance at approximately 6:20 PM.
The home where the shooting took place belonged to
brothers Dalton and J.D. Goodman. Upon their arrival, Perry County Sheriff's Deputies discovered the scene and took one individual into custody. While an arrest was made, the identity of the suspect and the specific charges were not immediately released to the public, with law enforcement officials stating that the investigation was ongoing.
The sparse details surrounding the events of that evening have left many questions unanswered. Online sources and news reports from the time of the incident provide a consistent account of the initial response and the basic facts of the case. However, subsequent information regarding the identity of the person of interest, the specific charges they faced, and the ultimate resolution of the investigation are not readily available in the public record. The narrative of William J. Bates's death, therefore, remains incomplete, with the chapter on justice and accountability yet to be fully written.
