Arkansas Mother Discovered Covered in Blood After Son Attacks Her with Shovel: Sheriff

An Arkansas man who allegedly attacked his mother with a shovel is now facing attempted murder charges, according to authorities.

Around 11:55 p.m. on March 8, deputies were sent to Oark in Johnson County after they learned 36-year-old James Ray Smith was “assaulting his mother repeatedly,” according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.

As deputies were responding to the location, a dispatcher continued to speak with the caller and could hear the victim screaming in the background, officials said.

According to authorities, Smith started breaking out windows in a vehicle and then returned to allegedly assaulting his mother with a shovel.

At the scene, deputies took a bloody Smith into custody and noted a red SUV had “extreme damage,” including broken out windows, the sheriff's office said.

Deputies located Smith's mother covered in blood sitting on the edge of a bed in an RV.

The victim was taken to a hospital, but neither her current condition nor a motive for the attack are known at this time.

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Smith was charged with attempted murder, domestic battery, criminal mischief, and terroristic threatening, police said.

He was booked into jail and remains behind bars. His next scheduled court date is May 15.