Man Charged with Murder After Couple Were Killed While Hiking with Young Daughters

A man has been arrested and charged after a married couple were killed while on a hike in Arkansas with their two young daughters.

On Wednesday, July 30 at 4:57 p.m. local time, James Andrew McGann, 28, of Springdale, was taken into custody at a business in Springdale by Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police (ASP), a news release confirmed.

The arrest comes after Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were fatally attacked while hiking at Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday, July 26. They were with their girls, aged 7 and 9, at the time. The children “were not injured and are safe with family members,” the ASP said in the release.

McGann has been charged with two counts of capital murder, police confirmed.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said of the update following the killing, “No news can heal the enormous harm done to the Brink family in last weekend’s crime, but this announcement is a comfort and reassurance for our State.” 

“I am so proud of the Arkansas State Police, Park Rangers, local law enforcement, and others who have worked nonstop since last weekend to capture this suspect,” Huckabee Sanders continued, per the release. 

“I ask that Arkansans lift up prayers of thanks for the brave men and women of law enforcement – and offer prayers of condolence to the victims of this horrific crime. Let there be no mistake – we do not tolerate violent crime in Arkansas. If you target innocent people, law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice,” she concluded.

ASP Colonel Mike Hagar added, “I’m extremely grateful for the long hours and dedication that our Agents put forward in bringing justice to this family,” per the post.

“The collaboration between State Police, other state and local law enforcement agencies, and our federal partners has been second to none. Because of their hard work and investigative skill, we were able to take a monster off the streets, and bring relief to those two precious girls, and the rest of our citizens,” he continued.

According to NBC News, citing Katrina Hutchins, Clinton Brink’s sister. the victims had moved to the state around three weeks ago,

ASP Major Stacie Rhoads told reporters that McGann had recently moved to Arkansas from Oklahoma and had gotten a job to work at a local school, the outlet stated.

“We’re still exploring and determining exactly what that motive [for the killings] was,” Rhoads said on Wednesday night, according to NBC News.

The arrest came a day after police released “a composite sketch of a man” they were “seeking to identify for questioning in connection with the double homicide.”

The Brink family previously provided a statement to local station KHBS-TV, saying that the parents died while “protecting their little girls” from the attacker.

“The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult time as they grieve and learn how to navigate this new reality,” they said in the statement. 

“They ask that if anyone has any information at all that will help in the investigation to please contact the proper authorities immediately. Clinton and Cristen died heroes protecting their little girls and they deserve justice. They will forever live in all of our hearts,” the message added.

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Shea Lewis, the Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, previously said in a statement that state parks would have an increased law enforcement presence.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred at Devil’s Den State Park,” Lewis said. “Our hearts are with the victims’ loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

The Arkansas State Police did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.