ACCORDING TO CHIEF EARNIE BLACKLEY, ON JULY 25 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:26 A.M THE IZARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED TO A CALL OF A DECEASED MALE, RICKY BROWN ON WAYLAND ARBOR ROAD IN DOLPH ARKANSAS.

  UPON ARRIVAL, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT BROWN HAD APPARENTLY DIED AS THE RESULT OF AN INJURY INFLICTED BY A KNIFE. BROWN’S BODY HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE FOR AN AUTOPSY IN AN EFFORT TO ASSIST IN DETERMINING THE MATTER AND CAUSE OF DEATH.

    THE TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY HAVE BEEN RELEASED PENDING THE FINAL OUTCOME OF THE INVESTIGATION.  THE INVESTIGATION WILL CONTINUE WHILE AWAITING THE RESULTS FROM THE STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE AS WELL AS THE ARKANSAS CRIME LABORATORY.

  THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS VERY CONFIDENT THAT THIS INCIDENT WAS NOT A RAMDOM ACT AND THERE IS NOT A CONTINUING THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY.