The Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney's Office will not file any charges in shooting that took place in November, according to a Thursday news release.

Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Shue said he reviewed the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office's investigative file on the shooting of Genaro Michael Salas, 20, and Jimmy Huu Nguyen, 19. Salas and Nguyen were shot Nov. 23 by homeowner Jeff Clark, but Shue said Clark was justified in his use of force against the two men, and the case does not merit the filing of any criminal charges.

According to the release, Salas and Nguyen were in the driveway of the Clark residence on Tennessee Circle in Sebastian County on the morning of Nov. 23. Clark woke up at about 4:20 a.m. to go hunting and saw lights pass through the circle where he lived. He stepped out his front door between 4:30 and 5 a.m., and saw that the dome light was on in his wife's car, which was parked within several feet of the open garage door. He then noticed the passenger door of his vehicle, which was next to his wife's, open as the dome light came on.

Knowing the garage door was open and a .40-caliber pistol was in the console of his vehicle, Clark went back inside to retrieve his hunting gun, a bolt action .270 rifle with five rounds loaded into it. After hearing someone say, "Big Mike, we have a problem," Clark fired one round into the air as a warning shot. The release states this all took place in the curtilage of the home, which is a legal term meaning within the home or its immediate surroundings.

Afterward, Salas and Nguyen ran to a vehicle parked at the end of the driveway and took off, according to the release. However, due to possibly being unfamiliar with the area, they turned right, which brought them back around the circle drive. As they came back around, they found Clark standing in the road in front of his property, causing them to screech to a halt in front of him. At that point, someone from inside the vehicle fired a gun at Clark.

Clark fired four shots at the vehicle, the release states, after which it sped off and fled the area. Clark then tried getting into his vehicle to chase after them and get their license number, but was unable to locate the fleeing car.

On I-549 in Barling, Sebastian County deputies located and processed an abandoned vehicle, a 2004 Toyota Camry that Nguyen drove. Officers also found property scattered along the side of the road. This included a Remington 870 shotgun, a Ruger .22-pistol, another bolt action rifle, a television, various battery chargers and tools. Bullet holes were found in the driver's side door and above the left rear tire of the vehicle. There was also blood in the front passenger seat and on the front passenger door.

A man, who the release described as well-intentioned and innocent, was traveling on I-549 when he saw the Camry. He stopped and gave Salas and Nguyen a ride to Salas' mother's home, after which they picked her up and drove to Mercy Hospital. However, Nguyen left and was not apprehended until sometime later. He was then arrested and gave a statement.

Sheriff's deputies also spoke to two residents of Tennessee Circle. They said their vehicle was also broken into and a revolver was stolen. The release states the gun has not been recovered and was not at the scene of the abandoned Camry. The two also confirmed a muzzle flash and the sound of gunshots coming from the vehicle.

Considering the totality of the circumstances, the release states Clark had a reasonable belief that Salas or Nguyen were committing, or were about to commit, a felony involving force or violence when they came back around Tennessee Circle, and/or that Salas and Nguyen were using, or were about to use, unlawful deadly physical force on him.

Pursuant to two pertinent Arkansas statutes, as well as case law, the release states Clark's shooting of Salas and Nguyen was a result of deadly physical force being reasonably and justifiably applied in accordance with Arkansas law.

Although there may be concern for the discharge of a weapon in a public street, the release states Clark could not retreat with complete safety while being shot at by people in a vehicle directly in front of his residence. In addition, Salas' and Nguyen's criminal intent placed Clark in imminent fear for his life, and he was entitled to act on his honest belief that deadly physical force should be applied.

"It is clear from the investigation conducted by the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office that Jeff Clark was lawfully exercising his rights under Arkansas law by defending himself, his family and his home when he took the action that resulted in the shooting of Genaro Michael Salas and Jimmy Huu Nguyen," the release states.

A Sebastian County Adult Detention Center deputy said Nguyen was released on a $14,500 bond. Shue said Nguyen is currently facing criminal charges, including five counts of breaking and entering, one count of residential burglary and one count of theft of property. However, due to dealing with health issues, no formal charges have been filed yet against Salas, though he has been released from the hospital.