A police officer is in the hospital
recovering after being shot. The man who shot him isn't under arrest and hasn't been charged with a crime.
There are a lot of unanswered questions out here at Diamondhead in Garland County. Many of those questions we can't even ask because we're not allowed into the gated community.
Goins says: "So, we have someone who shot an officer shot but is not in jail?" Mahoney says: "That's correct." Goins says: "Does that seem right?" Mahoney says: "I don't know all the circumstances I can't, I have my own feelings about it but then again that's just personal."
Diamondhead Police Chief Pat Mahoney says he doesn't know much about the investigation of the shooting Wednesday evening.
When officer Fred Ensminger was shot in the shoulder by one of the residents at this gated community in Garland County.
Mahoney says that resident is Jerry Chambliss, but asking Chambliss about what happened?
"I have no problem whatsoever with the media coming on the property as long as we have a stable situation and I don't know if its stable or not sir," Mahoney says.
We don't either because we can not get into the community.
The scene last night in Diamondhead, Ensminger's unmarked truck riddled with bullets.
The police chief says Ensminger did radio in to run a license plate just before the shooting but said he doesn't know why.
Garland County Sheriff's Department says at the same time a resident called police saying his wife was being followed.
When she got home there was a confrontation between the officer and Chambliss and both of them fired.
The officer was hit, the resident was questioned and allowed to go back home.
That's not sitting well with other people who live in the Diamondhead community.
"I don't agree with it," Kevin Cooper says. "If he shot him intentionally, I think he ought to be in jail."
The investigation is being handled by Arkansas State Police. When it finishes, the file will go to the Garland County prosecutor for possiblecharges.
The police chief says he doesn't know if his officer flashed his blue light or siren. Ensminger was off duty at the time of the shooting.
He's been employed as a part-time officer in Diamondheadsince 2009.
FOX16 News has learned Ensminger has also worked for the Shannon Hills and Alexander police departments.
He was fired from Shannon Hills in March 2005 for violating department policy.
According to his termination letter, Ensminger allegedly assaulted someone, leading to his dismissal.
