Authorities say a gunman entered the Arkansas Democratic Party headquarters and shot the party chairman, Bill Gwatney, who is hospitalized in critical condition.

Police say the gunman asked to speak to the party chairman and fired three shots.

Police say the suspect was chased into Grant County, south of Little Rock, and apprehended after being shot. The suspect's
condition was not known.

Sarah Lee, a sales clerk at a flower shop across street from the party headquarters, said that around noon Gwatney's secretary ran into the shop and asked someone to call 911. She said a man had come into the party and shot Gwatney multiple times.

She said the secretary described the man as in his 40s and white and drove off in a blue truck.

Channel 7 has crews on the scene and will continue to provide updated information.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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