Photo: Arkansas State Police
Arkansas State Police have arrested Andrew James McGann, 28, of Springdale, Arkansas, in connection with the double homicide at Devil's Den State Park. McGann faces two counts of capital murder for the deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who were killed while hiking with their two daughters on Saturday (July 26). The children, aged seven and nine, were unharmed and are now in the custody of relatives.
McGann had recently been hired as a teacher for the upcoming school year in Springdale and had recently taught school in Oklahoma.
Broken Arrow School officials confirm McGann is a former teacher in the Broken Arrow School District. The school district released the following statement after the arrest, "The man who was arrested in Arkansas for the murders at Devils Den State Park was a teacher for Broken Arrow Public Schools during the 23/24 school year. He was a 5th grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary during the 23/24 school year and left of his own accord to work out of state. As with all employees hired by the district, he was subjected to and passed the legally required background checks prior to being hired. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family affected by this unimaginable act of violence."
The arrest follows an intensive investigation by Arkansas State Police, aided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which provided additional manpower and specialized resources. Authorities had released a composite sketch and a photo of a man seen in the park on the day of the killings, seeking public assistance in identifying him.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined Secretary of the Department of Public Safety Col. Mike Hagar and Secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism Shea Lewis at the ASP Troop L Headquarters in Lowell to announce the arrest.
Sanders said something like this should never happen, and she hopes the entire state will wrap its arms around the Brink family.
The governor said calling the Brink family was one of the hardest things she's had to do, and thanked law enforcement for acting swiftly.
"If you commit a violent, senseless act here in our state our law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice," Sanders said.
The Brinks had recently moved to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, from another state. The police have not yet disclosed the manner in which the couple was killed.