The Arkansas State Police and the Memphis Police Department are investigating an officer involved shooting relating to a robbery and kidnapping that occurred in Memphis and ended outside of West Memphis on Interstate 40.
According to Arkansas State Police, the suspect vehicle, a white Nissan, crossed into Arkansas and was being pursued additionally by Arkansas State Police and West Memphis police. The suspect vehicle got off the interstate, according to a police report via Fox 13, and turned around to head back to Memphis.
An Arkansas State Police trooper conducted a pit maneuver and caused the suspect vehicle to come to a stop. When officers arrested the driver, the passenger suspect attempted to flee on foot by jumping the concrete divider wall.
“During the officers’and the suspect’s encounter, the officers shot and killed the suspect,” a statement from Memphis police said.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene and no officers were injured, according to police. In the trunk of the vehicle was a 61-year-old man, who had minor injuries and paramedics treated him at the scene.
Memphis officers were called to Avalon and Court for a robbery and kidnapping early Tuesday morning shortly after midnight. According to police, the dispatch call indicated that at least two suspects were seen forcing a man into the trunk of the car. Memphis police tried to conduct a traffic stop in the area of Cleveland and Madison, but the white Nissan proceeded to travel westbound on Madison, got onto I-40, and drove into Arkansas.
Special agents of the Arkansas State Criminal Investigation Division will focus on the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer as defined by Arkansas state laws. An investigative file will then be submitted to the Crittenden County, Arkansas, prosecuting attorney’s officer. The prosecuting attorney will then determine if the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer was consistent with state laws.