Kyle Ruddell charged with killing father, shooting at brother

ATKINS, Ark. — A Pope County man is facing a first-degree murder charge after authorities say he shot and killed his father and then fired at his brother during a December incident at a South Shore Road home.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Pope County Circuit Court, Kyle Brandon Ruddell, 36, was charged Feb. 3 with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. He is being held in the Pope County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond.

Police responded Dec. 17, 2025, to a shooting call at 765 South Shore Road in Atkins after dispatch reported that Ruddell had shot his father and fled into a wooded area. Officers arrived to find Randy Ruddell lying on the front porch near the front door with multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Investigators located several spent shell casings near the body and a rifle on the floor just inside the open front door, the affidavit states.

Authorities interviewed Stephen Ruddell, the suspect’s brother, who told officers he was not home when the shooting began. He said a roommate, James Johnson, called to report that Kyle Ruddell was firing guns from inside the doorway of the home and urged him to contact police.

Stephen Ruddell told investigators that when he arrived, he approached his father’s pickup truck and saw Kyle Ruddell standing on the front porch. He reported that Kyle fired at him through the vehicle window. Stephen retrieved a shotgun from the truck and fired back, and Kyle Ruddell then fled into nearby woods. Stephen said he then went onto the porch and found his father unresponsive.

Officers located Kyle Ruddell in a field less than 50 yards from the residence. According to the affidavit, police recovered a .45-caliber Kimber handgun in a holster from Kyle Ruddell. Before officers questioned him or read him his rights, Ruddell allegedly stated that he shot his father multiple times in the head and fired at his brother before running into the woods.

Johnson told investigators that earlier that morning he saw Kyle Ruddell firing multiple firearms — including a .22 revolver, a Kimber handgun, and a 30-30 rifle — from inside the front doorway toward the woods. Johnson said he later left the home and returned a few hours afterward, when Kyle met him outside and told him he had shot his father in the head. Johnson said he then saw Randy Ruddell lying on the porch and believed he was dead. He said he walked down the road and contacted Stephen Ruddell, advising that they should call 911.

Court records show Kyle Ruddell previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in 2020 and received a 72-month jail sentence. Records indicate he later failed to comply with parole conditions and spent additional time in custody in 2021. Jail logs reflect five prior bookings in Pope County.

The case remains pending in Pope County Circuit Court.

According to his obituary, Randy Ruddell was a master carpenter who loved classic cars, riding motorcycles and spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter. He leaves behind a wife, Misti Ruddell, and a large family.