Plant security guard killed in shooting

Bruce Pennington is led into the Trumann District court room for his probable cause hearing. (Democrat photo/Carin McClung)

An apparent murder rocked the community of Trumann as residents woke Monday to the news of an early-morning incident at Columbia Forest Products, a local factory.

Trumann police chief Larry Blagg has released details of the event.

At approximately 4:26 a.m., Bruce Pennington, 61, an engineer for Columbia Forest arrived at the plant, according to the report. This was his normal time to arrive at work. Pennington, formerly of Texas, has been with Columbia Forest for approximately one year and now lives in Trumann.

Columbia Forest Products, on Poinsett Street in Trumann in the Old Singer Complex, is set up with many video cameras surveying the property and the crime was caught on tape.

The Trumann Police Department now has the mill's DVR system in its possession.

Chief Blagg said two cameras were aimed at the guard building and show Pennington pulling up, exiting his black Toyota truck, walking up to the building and shooting Dorman Ray Cooper, security guard, in the chest and under the left eye.

Cooper, 26, of Marked Tree was a security guard with Securitas, which contracts for Columbia Forest.

After shooting Cooper, Pennington returned to his vehicle, drove to the Trumann Police Department and turned himself in. He is being represented by attorney Paul Ford. Chief Blagg said Pennington's demeanor on the surveillance videos appears to be very calm.

At his probable cause hearing Monday afternoon, Pennington appeared before Judge Steve Inboden and was formally charged with capital murder. A probable cause hearing is held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to bind a person over to Circuit Court and set a bond.

More details on the events of the morning were presented to the judge. After all witnesses were sworn in, Det. Capt. Jerry Foster presented the evidence to Judge Inboden.

Capt. Foster said at approximately 4:30 a.m. Monday, Pennington entered the Trumann Police Department and informed the dispatcher he had shot a person at the Columbia Forest guard building.

An officer was then dispatched to Columbia Forest. Upon arrival at the scene, Cooper was found by the officer lying in a large pool of blood inside the building.

Capt. Foster informed the judge the department was asking that Pennington be held with no bond. It was also revealed Pennington had no previous criminal history.

Pennington's attorney offered the argument that "the fact they report a shooting does not mean a crime has occurred, just that a shooting has occurred."

Chief Blagg was then sworn in and presented information regarding the surveillance video to Judge Inboden, clearly showing Pennington drive up to the guard building, leave his lights on, the driver's side door of the vehicle open, walk to the building, shoot Cooper and return to his vehicle and leave.

After hearing all the witness statements and Ford's comments, Judge Inboden found sufficient evidence to bind Pennington over to Circuit Court with a June 23 trial date and no bond.

Judge Inboden said he would not set a bond at this time because an autopsy has not been done on the Cooper's body and Pennington has not received a psychological evaluation, which he said must be considered before a bond is set.

Judge Inboden said it is possible the issue of bond may be revisited at a more appropriate time.

Columbia Forest officials were contacted, but had no comment on the incident. No motive for the crime has been released.