The State Police announces the death of a man wounded by officer fire at a Leslie bakery Oct. 17. The release said:

The Arkansas State Police was notified this afternoon that John T. Kolata, 75, of Searcy County, had died.

Kolata was the gunman involved in the October 17th hostage and shooting incident inside the Serenity Farm Bakery located in Leslie.

Kolata had remained hospitalized at a Little Rock hospital since being transported by air ambulance following the shooting. His body is being transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for examination and autopsy.

A Searcy County Sheriff’s Deputy was wounded by Kolata in an exchange of gunfire as the deputy and an Arkansas State Trooper entered the bakery.

The Arkansas State Police investigation of the shooting is continuing and will be submitted to the Searcy County prosecuting attorney to determine if deadly force used by law enforcement officers was consistent with Arkansas laws.

Advertisement