A roadside favor turned fatal near Malvern Monday evening when a 70-year-old man fatally shot his 31-year-old son during an argument that police say began over jump-starting a vehicle. Hot Spring County sheriff's deputies were called to the 300 block of Bayne Road around 7 p.m. after a 911 caller reported the shooting, and the younger man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Dispute Erupted While Helping Jump-Start a Car
Witnesses told investigators that Linden Torchia, 70, was helping his son, Michael Torchia, 31, jump-start a vehicle when a verbal argument broke out and quickly turned physical, according to a release cited by einnews.com. Linden told investigators that Michael began arguing with him and then escalated the confrontation by striking the window of Linden's vehicle with jumper cables and an unidentified metal object. During the ensuing physical altercation, Linden fired a weapon, striking Michael in the chest, the release states.
The Hot Spring County Coroner pronounced Michael Torchia dead at the scene, per the same release. As of the most recent update, no arrest had been made in the case, and investigators said the probe remained ongoing with no further details being released at this time.
State Police Called In at County's Request
The Hot Spring County Sheriff's Office asked the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division to take over the investigation, according to the release. Once that investigation wraps up, ASP CID special agents are expected to submit the case file to the Hot Spring County prosecuting attorney for review, per the release.
The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette similarly reported that witnesses told police Linden Torchia was helping his son jump-start a vehicle when the physical and verbal altercation broke out, resulting in the fatal shooting. KATV also covered the case, noting the confrontation began after a verbal argument turned physical between the father and son.
Details beyond the initial accounts remain limited. The type of weapon used has not been disclosed, and no further information about a motive or additional witness accounts has been released. Country Herald also reported on the shooting, which left the 31-year-old dead in Hot Spring County.
