Fort Smith Man Arrested After Shooting his Aunt in the Head

Fort Smith Police say Dustin Trowbridge 19, was arrested for First Degree Murder for allegedly shooting and killing his Aunt, Rita Anderson 25, early Thursday morning at her home on Pryor Avenue.  

Sergeant Daniel Grubbs says that Trowbride and Anderson got into an argument just before she was shot and that Anderson's two children and boyfriend Zachary Dunn 23, were at the home at the time. Dunn is the one who called 911.

Dunn told police that Trowbridge came out of his bedroom with a semi-automatic handgun, shot Anderson in the head and then left the home in Dunn's vehicle.

Police say a 9 mm semi-automatic hand gun was found inside a trash can that was outside of the home, and they believe it to be the weapon used in the shooting.

Trowbridge was found at a house on North Greenwood and the stolen vehicle was parked a block away from the house, say police.

After being interviewed by the Criminal Investigation Division, police say, Dustin Trowbridge was charged with 1^st Degree Murder and Felony Theft of Property. He is currently being held in the Sebastian County Detention Center without bond.

Rita Anderson's body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for autopsy.