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Suspect Charged With Shooting SWAT Officer Makes Initial Appearance

Pulaski Co. Sheriff's Office

An initial court appearance was made Wednesday morning by a man charged with shooting a Jacksonville Police officer during a drug raid last week.

53-year-old Mark Dodson went before a judge via a video hookup from the Pulaski County Jail. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports bond was set at a quarter of a million dollars.

A SWAT team was entering his home Friday when Dodson allegedly opened fire, striking one officer in the arm.

Dodson has been charged with seven counts of attempt to commit capital murder and a single charge of first degree battery.

Judge Wayne Gruber entered a preliminary not guilty plea on behalf of the suspect who did not speak during the hearing.

Michael Hibblen was a journalist for KUAR News from May 2009 — December 2022. During his final 10 years with the station, he served as News Director. In January 2023, he was hired by Arkansas PBS to become its Senior Producer/ Director of Public Affairs.