An Arkansas man accused of killing his daughter’s rapist has announced that he is running for sheriff, saying the justice system “failed” his family.
The Announcement
According to Yahoo! News, Aaron Spencer was charged with the murder of 67-year-old Michael Fosler after discovering him with his missing 14-year-old daughter. In a video posted to Facebook, Spencer said his campaign for Lonoke County Sheriff stems from his personal experience with what he described as systemic failures.
“Through my own fight for justice, I have seen firsthand the failures in law enforcement and in our circuit court,” he said. “And, I refuse to stand by while others face these same failures.”
Spencer added that he is “the father who acted to protect his daughter when the system failed.” He explained that his goal as sheriff would be to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the community.
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The Shooting Incident
Court documents state that on the night of the shooting, Spencer awoke to his dog barking and went to check his daughter’s room. He reportedly found a stuffed dog placed under her blanket to make it appear as if she were asleep.
Authorities allege that Spencer then got into his truck and drove around the neighborhood until he found his daughter inside Fosler’s vehicle. Fosler, who had prior charges of sexual offenses involving Spencer’s daughter, was reportedly forced off the road before being shot.
The Family’s Statement
Spencer’s wife, Heather, wrote on the family’s GiveSendGo page that Fosler had been the boyfriend of a family friend who “targeted, groomed and ultimately raped” their daughter. She also expressed that her husband’s actions came from desperation after the system failed to protect their child.
The Spencer family has received widespread attention online, with some calling him a vigilante father and others questioning the ethics of his decision.
The Legal Battle
Spencer’s trial is set to begin on January 26, 2026. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence. Despite the pending charges, he says his campaign will continue as a platform to demand accountability from the justice system.