Johnston killed by corrections officers after 30-hour search following Independence County double shooting

Christopher Lee Johntson

A man sought in connection with a deadly pre-dawn shooting in rural Independence County was killed Tuesday by Arkansas Department of Corrections officers after a roughly 30-hour search through heavily wooded terrain, authorities said.

Christopher Lee Johnston, 48, of Jonesboro, was pronounced dead at the scene after members of the DOC K-9 team confronted him in a field near Bethesda, where he had been hiding since fleeing a shooting on Brown Lane early Monday morning, according to the Arkansas State Police.

Deputies with the Independence County Sheriff’s Office initially responded around 3:15 a.m. Monday, to the Brown Lane residence, where they discovered two gunshot victims. One person was pronounced dead at the scene. A second victim was transported to a local hospital by family members before deputies arrived and remained there for treatment, officials said.

Johnston was identified as a person of interest and fled before authorities arrived. The ensuing search drew resources from multiple agencies — including the Independence County Sheriff’s Office, Batesville Police Department, Arkansas State Police troopers, and the DOC K-9 team — and reportedly involved air units and thermal imaging technology.

By Tuesday morning, Johnston had been spotted near B-D Lane, intensifying the search effort. He was ultimately located in a wooded area near the original crime scene and confronted by the DOC K-9 team in an adjoining field, where deadly force was used.

At the request of the DOC, the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division is now investigating the officer-involved shooting. No officers were injured during the operation.

Johnston’s body will be transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to determine the manner and cause of death.

Upon completion of the investigation, ASP Criminal Investigation Division agents will present their findings to the Independence County Prosecuting Attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law.

Authorities have not released the identities of the shooting victims or disclosed a potential motive. The underlying homicide investigation remains ongoing.