Arkansas residents received multiple phone alerts Wednesday morning: Here’s why

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – Arkansas residents received several alerts on their cell phones Wednesday about an armed man in Morrilton.

Arkansas Department of Public Safety officials said the multiple alerts were for clarification. The first alert was issued with no spaces between information about the armed man. Who is a suspect in several murder casesand the web address where more information could be found, which means the link didn’t work.

State officials said people were unable to use the link because there was no space, so a second message was sent with the space provided.

Officials stressed that due to the nature of the emergency, it is important for public safety reasons to notify all Arkansas residents.

Morrilton police and other law enforcement agencies are currently searching for an Alabama man wanted in connection with several out-of-state murders. The FBI notified Morrilton police after a vehicle used in the murders was spotted outside a hotel in that city.

The suspect, 50-year-old Stacy Drake of Birmingham, Alabama, was not found at the hotel, and officials said they were unsure how he left the hotel. Investigators said they were able to identify Drake on hotel security camera footage.

Drake, who is 6’1″, 185 pounds, is considered armed and dangerous. Officials said anyone who sees Drake should not approach him but should immediately contact police by calling 911.