HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — A Hot Springs man has been formally charged with first-degree murder in a June shooting that killed his neighbor on Mississippi Street.
Brice Adrian Foster, 53, was charged Friday, July 17, in Garland County Circuit Court with first-degree murder, a Class Y felony, along with a felony firearm enhancement. The information was filed by Prosecuting Attorney Michelle C. Lawrence of the 18th Judicial District East.
According to an affidavit by Hot Springs Police Detective S. Woodall, officers responded to 412 Mississippi Street around 9:52 p.m. on June 27 in reference to a shooting that had just occurred. Officers found Nick Rowland, 46, lying on his back on the side of the road with a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
Foster was taken into custody at the scene. The affidavit states he spontaneously told patrol officers, “I’m the shooter.”
A witness, identified in the affidavit as Foster’s neighbor Austin Grisham, told officers he heard a gunshot and went outside to see what happened. Grisham said he saw Foster standing in the middle of the road carrying a rifle. When Grisham approached him, Foster admitted to shooting Rowland after an argument, according to the affidavit. Grisham then called police.
Foster was transported to the Hot Springs Police Department, where he requested an attorney.
Foster was initially arrested on a capital murder charge, according to the Arkansas Crime Information Center arrest report. Prosecutors formally charged him with first-degree murder, which carries a sentence of 10 to 40 years or life in the Arkansas Division of Correction. The firearm enhancement carries up to an additional 15 years.
Court records list Foster’s bond at $0. He remains in custody in the Garland County Detention Center.
