A Woodruff County deputy early Friday shot a suspect in an assault investigation, leaving the man hospitalized in critical condition, according to a news release from the Arkansas State Police, who are investigating.

The deputy, whom the release didn't name, shot Thomas Dixon, 36, of Woodruff County around 2 a.m. Friday at a residence on Woodruff County Road 639, the release states. Officials said that was the scene of a reported assault around 11:45 p.m. Thursday in which Dixon was the main suspect.

Dixon had reportedly fled into a wooded area while deputies were investigating the assault. That left deputies to assist the victim, who was transported first to a Searcy hospital and then to a Little Rock hospital for treatment, the release states. The release didn't specify what sort of in

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