The Sharp County Sheriff’s Department has released more information regarding a shooting in Ozark Acres.
On Jan. 3, Sharp County Deputies responded to an address on Eagle Trail Road in Ozark Acres in reference to a shooting where a male subject had been shot multiple times. The victim identified as Joseph Blake Mitchell had contacted 911 stating he had been shot four times by Leo Noel. When Deputies arrived, they located Joseph in the floor inside his residence and discovered three gunshot wounds in his right leg and one in his left. The victim was transported to the White River Medical Center in Batesville.
The suspect had also contacted 911 stating he had been attacked by Joseph. Leo was attempting to leave Joseph’s residence to which Joseph climbed on top of Leo’s truck and began striking the windshield with a machete.
Leo stated he shot Joseph in self-defense. Leo was taken into custody by the Sharp County Sheriff’s Office on an investigative hold. A search warrant was executed on Leo’s truck where 6 shell casings were located.
Six bullet holes were located on the driver’s side of the windshield including evidence of a large object striking from the outside. Search warrants were served on the residence of both individuals to obtain evidence of the incident.
The execution of both warrants led to further investigation and the discovery of two ounces of methamphetamine, distribution amounts of marijuana, shrooms, narcotics, needles and 12 firearms. In all, four search warrants were executed. In reference to the shooting incident, no formal charges have been filed, pending further investigation. Following the execution of all four search warrants, 49-year-old Leo Noel; 65-year-old Randy Mitchell and 41-year-old Jessica Camp were arrested on multiple drug and firearm related charges.
“I emphasized upon taking office that I will take crimes involving drugs and firearms very serious as it leads to not only unexpected overdoses but also leads to violence. I will continue to have a zero tolerance for such crimes in Sharp County and after the seizure of nearly 1.6 million dollars’ worth of drugs seized in 2023 in conjunction with the 3rd judicial district Drug Task Force, my office will continue removing these crimes from Sharp County, and I will hold individuals involved responsible and accountable,” Sharp County Sheriff Shane Russell said.
Noel has since been released. At press time, Mitchell and Camp remained in the Sharp County Jail.
