Homicide being investigated in McDonald County; Victim ID’d

UPDATE at 11:10 a.m: Bridgeford has now been formally charged with 1st degree murder, armed criminal action, and 2 counts of kidnapping. He is being held without bond in the McDonald County Jail.

UPDATE 2/7/2020: The victim has been identified as Christian Zigmunt from Bella Vista, Arkansas. Sheriff Mike Hall confirms the incident occurred on Goff Ridge Road and the victim was dumped on Bear Hollow Road.

UPDATE: 25-year-old Henry Bridgeford of Noel is being held on first-degree murder, armed criminal action and felonious restraint charges, in what appears to be related to their current homicide investigation. His mugshot has been posted below as well as the original, full story.

The McDonald County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide. Read the full press release below:

On 02-06-2020, the McDonald County Sheriff’s Office received information about a possible homicide that had occurred in the south part of rural McDonald County in the early morning hours.

The investigation progressed and it was determined that a male subject was shot and killed while riding in a vehicle with some friends. The investigation determined that the suspect shot and killed the victim and forced the others to drive down the road where the suspect dumped the victim alongside a county road. The victim, whose identity is not being released pending notification of family, was located by law enforcement and the crime scene processed. The victim has been turned over to the McDonald County Coroner and will be sent for an autopsy.

The suspect was arrested at his residence this evening and is being held pending formal criminal charges.

No motive is known as to the murder at this time and investigation continues.