JACKSON COUNTY, Ark. – Arkansas State Police officials said an incident that blocked northbound traffic on Highway 67 in Jackson County on Friday morning was an officer-involved shooting.
ASP officials said troopers began to pursue a vehicle just after 9:40 a.m. that they said had driven aggressively toward a marked ASP unit while going above 120 miles per hour between Newport and Bradford.
Troopers said they were able to stop the suspect vehicle near the 80-mile marker before entering a standoff with the suspect.
Authorities said Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies closed off a portion of the highway so ASP crisis negotiators could work to end the incident peacefully. ASP officials said the suspect then refused orders to exit the vehicle before allegedly threatening the officers and telling them he had a weapon.
State police said the suspect then fled the scene, going south against northbound traffic at more than 100 miles per hour.
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According to ASP officials, the pursuing troopers began firing at the driver when there was a gap in the oncoming traffic. The suspect vehicle then ran off the road into a ditch before catching fire.
ASP officials said the suspect died at the scene and two troopers received non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.
“We are thanking God this evening that no innocent civilians were injured or killed today during this incident,” Colonel Mike Hagar with the ASP said. “We also thank motorists in the area for being alert in order to avoid what undoubtedly would have been deadly collisions. This suspect’s actions were reckless and heartless, putting an untold number of lives at risk.”
Officials said ASP Criminal Investigation Division agents are investigating the shooting and will submit an investigative file to the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney, who will determine if the use of deadly force was consistent with state law.
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