A man who attempted to flee arrest was fatally shot early Saturday morning by law enforcement officers in Pope County, officials said.
Bobby Patrick, 27, fled from a state trooper after the officer attempted to pull over Patrick's vehicle northbound on U.S. 7 in Russellville, according to a statement released by Arkansas State Police.
The officer chased the car for about 10 miles before Patrick pulled over on U.S. 27, where he then abandoned the car and fled on foot. Officers on scene said Patrick was seen carrying a handgun when he fled.The vehicle Patrick abandoned had been reported stolen a month earlier in Dardanelle.
Patrick was wanted on warrants for parole violations, drug possession and failure to appear, officers said.
Patrick was found shortly after 2 a.m. by state troopers and officers from the Arkansas Department of Correction tracking-dog team. The search team confronted Patrick who, according to the release, then raised a handgun at the officers, “who then fired their weapons killing him.”
No officers were injured.
Brooke Beard, 24, of Russellville was in the car at the time of the chase and was on probation from Yell County for drug possession and hindering apprehension or prosecution. She was arrested before the shooting and turned over to Pope County authorities.
According to the release, an investigative file will be presented to the prosecuting attorney, who will decide if the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas laws.
All state troopers involved with the incident are on administrative leave with pay and will not be identified until the investigation is complete.