Duane Gonder, suspect in the shooting death of his brother Marcus Gonder, turned himself into authorities on the evening of Wednesday, July 1, 2009.

At approximately 12:03 am, on Wednesday, July 1, a 911 call reported that Marcus Gonder had been shot at his home in the Plantersville community near Monticello. When deputies arrived Duane Gonder was reported to have left the scene in a blue Ford pickup truck. The weapon was recovered at the home. Marcus Gonder was pronounced dead at the scene.

The truck was found abandoned and stuck in a muddy ravine at approximately 7:30 am Wednesday in a wooded area approximately one mile from the scene. Sheriff Gober contacted the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) K-9 Tracking Team out of the Cummins unit. When the search team arrived, an extensive search was made of the entire area. At times the dogs would hit on a good hot trail; however, as the day heated up the scent became so faint that the dogs could not pick up a trail. After about three hours of searching, the K-9 unit returned to Cummins. Deputies continued to patrol the area, search abandoned houses, and assist residents in searching their property.

At approximately 3:30 pm, two individuals spotted the suspect and alerted dispatch. Deputies proceeded to the area where the suspect was sited and secured the area. Sheriff Gober again called for the K-9 unit and they arrived at approximately 4:30 pm. The tracking team searched for approximately two hours. Around 6:45 pm, Sheriff Gober received a call from dispatch saying that the suspect, Duane Gonder, wanted to turn himself into authorities. Gonder was using a friend?s phone. Gober spoke with Gonder to coordinate the exact location where Gonder would be. At approximately 7:30 pm, Gonder was taken into custody without incident at a residence on Highway 425 North near the Drew and Lincoln County line.

Sheriff Gober wishes to thank the deputies, Arkansas Game and Fish officers, Arkansas State Police, and especially the ADC K-9 Tracking Team. Gober also wishes to thank the community for their patience and cooperation.