The Monticello Police Department has one suspect in custody inconnection with a Saturday night shooting at the C Store.

Aaron Smith, 24, of 325 JW Jones Road, Oakvale, has been chargedwith two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon afterallegedly firing a 12-gauge shotgun at two people at the store justbefore 10:20 p.m. Saturday, said Monticello Police Chief DavidStanley.

The chief said Smith apparently shot one victim in the store’sparking lot, then entered the C Store and fired at a second,intended victim.

The shot impacted the wall and missed the second victim, whofled the scene. The second victim’s identity was not released.

The first victim, 21-year-old Frank Barr, of 33 TimberlaneDrive, Monticello, was hit at point-blank range in the upper rightshoulder area, Stanley said.

Barr was transported by ambulance to the Lawrence CountyHospital and later transferred to University Medical Center inJackson. Stanley said the injury was serious, but no furtherupdates were available.

After the shots were fired, Smith fled the C Store.

“There was no robbery,” Stanley said. “Apparently this stemmedfrom an earlier altercation between the suspect, the victim and theintended victim. I have no idea what they were fighting about – noone wants to say.”

Approximately 45 minutes after the shooting, Monticello policeofficers apprehended Smith at Apt. B11 of the Westover ApartmentComplex on 2000 Robert Charles Dr. Stanley said the officersreceived a tip from Smith’s family members that he was hidingthere.

The apartment’s occupants, also Smith’s family, denied that hewas inside.

“Officers searched the apartment and found the bathroom doorlocked – Smith was hiding in there,” Stanley said. “The officershad to kick the door in and he was taken into custody.”

The apartment’s occupant, Corey Allen, 22, was also arrested andcharged with felony obstruction of justice. His bond was set at$5,000 Monday.