BENTONVILLE, Ark. — A tragic shooting outside a popular Bentonville restaurant Monday evening has left one man dead and another in critical condition, shaking the normally quiet downtown community. The incident occurred just after 6 p.m. outside Sushi House, a well-known sushi restaurant in the heart of the city, where diners and pedestrians were caught off guard by the sound of gunfire.
According to the Bentonville Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene within minutes of receiving reports of multiple gunshots. When they arrived, they discovered two victims suffering from gunshot wounds in the restaurant’s parking lot. One male victim, believed to be in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The second man was quickly transported to Northwest Bentonville Hospital, where he remains in critical condition under emergency care.
Authorities confirmed that the hospital was placed on a temporary lockdown soon after the injured victim’s arrival. The measure was taken as a precaution while officers ensured there was no further threat to staff or patients. Police later lifted the lockdown after confirming the situation was under control. Officials have since reassured the public that there is no ongoing danger to the community.
A spokesperson for the Bentonville Police Department announced that one suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the shooting. However, investigators have not released the suspect’s identity or any possible motive at this time. Detectives are currently interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and gathering physical evidence from the scene to determine what led up to the deadly encounter.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes outside the restaurant as emergency responders flooded the area. More than 20 police vehicles, along with fire trucks and special service units, arrived at the scene as officers secured the area. Yellow crime scene tape stretched across the parking lot as investigators worked late into the evening, marking evidence and collecting shell casings from the ground.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the shooting or has video footage from the area to contact the Bentonville Police Department. As investigators continue their work, the Bentonville community remains stunned and saddened by the sudden burst of violence that unfolded at one of its most popular dining spots.