The Arkansas State Police say they are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on March 30 that involved an Atkins Police Department officer.
State Police say that an Atkins police officer shot a suspect who allegedly approached them with a piece of metal pipe. The suspect later died at the scene, according to police.
The state’s top law enforcement agency says that Atkins police were called to the vicinity of West Main Street at around 9:40 p.m. where an attempted residential break-in had occurred. Two Atkins police officers and two Pope County sheriff’s deputies later encountered the suspect outside a second residence at 3500 West Main Street, according to police.
The suspect began approaching the officers armed with a piece of metal pipe. Police say that commands were given to the suspect to drop the pipe, but the suspect ignored, police say. As the suspect approached the four officers, each fired their weapons at the suspect, police say.
The state police’s criminal investigation division will submit an investigative file to the Pope County prosecuting attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force was consistent with state laws.
The body of the suspect has been transported to the state’s crime lab where a manner and a cause of death will be determined along with the confirmation of identity.