Pine Bluff police officer shoots man in early-morning struggle

A female Pine Bluff police lieutenant shot a man she knows during a struggle in her home early Friday, authorities said.

Arkansas State Police say Lt. Denise Richardson shot 44-year-old Percy Smith of Pine Bluff around 2 a.m.

The circumstances of the struggle weren't immediately clear. Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said Richardson and Smith are "acquainted with one another," but he said he couldn't divulge further details about what may have precipitated the shooting.

"We just do not discuss any part of any ongoing investigation," Sadler said. "There's really nothing I can tell you with regard to their relationship or how he came to be in the home. That's all part of the ongoing investigation."

Police say Smith drove himself to Jefferson Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition Friday morning, Sadler said.

Richardson was listed as a lieutenant with the department and the commanding officer of evening shift detectives in a January 2014 news release.

A Pine Bluff police spokesman confirmed she is still a lieutenant, but declined to release what her current position entails, her age or how long she has served on the force.

Pine Bluff Police spokesman Richard Wegner said Richardson is on administrative leave, but he said he could not comment further about the shooting.

"It just wouldn't be appropriate for us to comment on another agency's investigation," he said.

State police special agents are investigating the shooting at the request of Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Kyle Hunter, that agency said in a statement.

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