Rowell charged in Roland police-related shooting

A bench warrant was issued Monday for the arrest of an Arkansas man who reportedly fired multiple shots at a Roland police officer on July 29.

Authorities said Denver W. Rowell, 22, is reportedly in custody at another facility on an unrelated offense, according to police reports.

At around 4 a.m. Saturday, Roland Police officer Brian Simpson pulled up behind a car stopped on the side of Hwy. 64 in Roland on Ray Fine Blvd. that looked to be having mechanical issues.

When Simpson exited his patrol unit, Rowell reportedly exited the vehicle he was in and started walking toward the front engine, firing about eight shots at the officer. Fortunately, the officer was not struck by the gunfire but his police unit was hit several times in the front grill.

Rowell then fled into a wooded area and a perimeter was set up by police. After searching the area for several hours, police reported seeing no signs of Rowell.

Later in the day, Fort Smith police reported receiving a call regarding a suspicious person on Towson Ave., which later led to Rowell’s arrest.

Fort Smith authorities said Rowell tried to flee police and allegedly attempted to discard a loaded handgun, believed to have been used in the Roland officer-related shooting.

Roland Assistant Police Chief Chris Waters said the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office notified him that the car Rowell was in was reported stolen about 30 minutes prior to the incident.

Rowell was charged July 31 in Sequoyah County District Court with four counts of shooting with intent to kill, and one charge each of possession of firearm after former felony conviction, possess firearm during commission of felony, and possession of stolen vehicle.

Sebastian County Detention Center records show Rowell also has an active arrest warrant in Arkansas for parole violations. He was booked into the facility on the afternoon of July 29 on additional charges of fugitive from justice/out of state and fleeing on foot.