The Arkansas State Police says they are investigating a shooting incident involving multiple law enforcement officers that stems from the shooting of a man earlier Saturday at a Jonesboro rice mill.
State Police say that the Jonesboro Police Department, Craighead County Sheriff’s Office and state troopers were involved in an exchange of gunfire with 45-year-old Walter Antreall Joyce, who was shot and killed.
According to state law enforcement officials, Jonesboro police, a sheriff’s deputy, and troopers pursued Joyce before his vehicle was stopped by a trooper using the PIT (precision intervention technique) maneuver along Interstate 555 near Nettleton Avenue.
State law enforcement officials say that Joyce repeatedly ignored commands from officers to exit the vehicle and surrender.
Just before 11:00 a.m., police say that Joyce opened fire on the officers, who returned fire.
Joyce was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured.
Special agents from the criminal investigation division are conducting an investigation into the use of deadly force by the officers. The investigative file will be presented to the Craighead County prosecuting attorney, who will determine the use of deadly force by the officers was consistent with state laws.