In a case that is raising eyebrows across the country, Aaron Spencer, a 36-year-old father from Arkansas, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting and killing 67-year-old Michael Fosler. Fosler, who had a disturbing past with Spencer’s family, was found in a vehicle with Spencer’s 14-year-old daughter on October 8—a horrifying discovery that followed the young girl being reported missing just hours before.
What makes this case even more troubling is that Fosler wasn’t just any stranger. He had previously been slapped with a no-contact order after stalking and sexually assaulting Spencer’s daughter last summer. Despite this legal barrier, Fosler somehow ended up in contact with her again—a failure that raises serious questions about the justice system and its ability to protect vulnerable children from known predators.
The events unfolded after Mr. Spencer had reported his daughter missing, prompting deputies from the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office to investigate. However, before law enforcement could intervene, Spencer himself located his daughter inside a vehicle with Fosler. It was at this point that the situation took a deadly turn. According to reports, an altercation between the two men escalated, and Spencer, likely acting in a fit of fear and outrage, shot and killed the man who had terrorized his family.
Spencer was arrested on a preliminary charge of first-degree murder, a Class Y felony. He is currently being held in the Lonoke County Detention Center. However, Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley was quick to point out that Spencer has not been formally charged yet, and that the District Attorney’s office is still deciding what charges—if any—should be filed.
Sheriff Staley acknowledged the tragedy of the situation, stating, “This is a tragic situation, and my thoughts and prayers are with all involved.”
While the legal process is still unfolding, public opinion seems to be leaning in favor of the father. Many are questioning how a man like Fosler, a former police chief and school resource officer, managed to get close to a child he was ordered to stay away from. More troubling is the fact that the justice system appeared to protect this predator rather than Spencer’s family.
Spencer’s wife expressed her deep frustration and anger online, saying, “We had no idea this man was in contact with our child again. He was waiting 6-9 felonies for what he did, not 2. He was looking at the rest of his pathetic life in jail, and our daughter was the only witness.”
Mrs. Spencer didn’t stop there. She also called out law enforcement for what she described as their mishandling of the case, saying that the sheriff’s office disclosed their home address to the public, putting their family at further risk. “Some things we will never know, but we know that the police department afforded this predator privacy they did not give our family,” she stated. “I’m deeply offended by the way this was handled by the county sheriff’s office.”
The Spencers have since received an outpouring of support from their community, with many seeing this case as a father doing what any parent would do—protecting his child from a predator who had already caused their family untold pain. Mrs. Spencer expressed gratitude for the support but acknowledged the long road ahead, saying, “At the end of the day, our daughter is a victim, and we have a long road of recovery for everyone.”
In a chilling statement, Mrs. Spencer also revealed more about Fosler’s past, noting that he had worked with children for years and had preyed on young girls under the guise of authority. “This man was Chief of Police in Indiana and a resource officer, giving us a better idea of why the Lonoke County courts have been protecting him and going after my husband.”
This tragic case shines a harsh light on the failures of the system meant to protect our children. While Aaron Spencer sits in jail, many are left wondering: Where was the justice for his daughter when she needed it most?
