(NewsNation) — An Arkansas man accused of killing his teenage daughter’s alleged abuser announced his candidacy for county sheriff this month, and it’s starting to gain real traction.
Aaron Spencer, 37, who is accused of shooting and killing a 67-year-old man he discovered in a car with his 14-year-old daughter in 2024, announced he is running for sheriff of rural Lonoke County.
Spencer made the announcement in a video posted to Facebook while he is out on bond awaiting a trial set for early next year. He faces second-degree murder and firearm enhancement charges.
What happened?
Spencer woke up in the middle of the night on Oct. 8, 2024, and found that his daughter was missing from her bedroom. He then left in his truck to search for her and found her in the vehicle of Michael Fosler, 67, according to court documents, as reported by the Associated Press.
Spencer then rammed into Fosler’s truck, forcing it off the highway and, after an altercation, called 911 to report he had shot the man.
Three months prior, the teen had revealed to Spencer and his wife that Fosler had sexually abused her. Fosler had previously been arrested but was out on bond while facing numerous charges, including internet stalking of a child and sexual assault, as reported by CNN.
Why is Spencer running for sheriff?
Spencer is running for sheriff to fix the “failures” that allowed the alleged abuser to reach his daughter. He is facing three-term incumbent John Staley, whose department arrested Spencer.
“Many of you know my story,” Spencer said in the video announcing his candidacy. “I’m the father who acted to protect his daughter when the system failed. And through my own fight for justice, I have seen firsthand the failures in law enforcement and in our circuit court, and I refuse to stand by while others face these same failures.”
The primary election is set for next March, and the general election is in November 2026. Spencer, who is running as a Republican, isn’t on the ballot yet due to candidate filings beginning next month.
Jennifer Hopper, who chairs the Lonoke County Republican Committee, told the Associated Press that most people in the county don’t have a problem with Spencer running for sheriff, adding that many believe the shooting was justified.
Spencer’s attorneys maintain he acted in accordance with the law
Spencer has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys acknowledge that he shot and killed Fosler, but argue that he acted within the law to protect his daughter.
“We believe it is clear that Aaron was justified under Arkansas law in taking action to protect his daughter and himself, and we believe that will be apparent at trial,” one of Spencer’s attorneys, Erin Cassinelli, wrote in an email to The Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed to this report