Arkadelphia man fatally shoots son after mistaking him for intruder

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — An Arkadelphia man fatally shot his son Wednesday because he thought he was an intruder, the Clark County sheriff's office reported.

Police responded to the home in the 300 block of Red Hill Road near Arkadelphia around 4:23 a.m. Officers found Scott A. Copeland, 45, with a single gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

A news release states that the man’s father, 85-year-old Curtis Copeland, fired the fatal shot because he thought someone was trying to break into his home. Authorities say that Scott was trying to get into his father’s house and when his father opened the door, his gun accidentally discharged.

There was no evidence that the father and son had any dispute and no other physical violence occurred, according to authorities.

No charges had been filed Wednesday.