PRESS RELEASE

On 10/15/23, at approximately 6:49P, the Marion County Dispatch Center received a call from an unidentified female stating her friend had been shot. She was driving near the Baxter Health Ambulance Facility in Yellville and was directed to take the victim to the facility for emergency treatment. The male was taken to the Ambulance Facility and then transported by ambulance to Baxter Health in Mountain Home. He was later transferred to UAMS for further treatment. The victim was identified as MICHAEL VETOR (White/Male, Date of Birth: 08/31/77) of Yellville.

Deputies have conducted several interviews and searched several locations in Marion County and continue to follow investigative leads related to the incident. LEIGH BLACKMON ((White/Male, Date of Birth: 03/18/1992) has been identified as the suspect and Investigators have obtained arrest warrants for BLACKMON for First Degree Battery and Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons. LEIGH BLACKMON may be traveling on a motorcycle or a gold Nissan Rogue with an unknown white female, and he may be in possession of a firearm.

Investigators are asking the public to be on the lookout for BLACKMON and to contact the Marion County Sheriff's Department at 870.449.4236, or their local law enforcement agency with any information they may have about his whereabouts.

Gregg L. Alexander, Sheriff