Arkansas State Police are investigating Tuesday after a drug suspect was shot in a struggle with Faulkner County sheriff’s deputies.
The Faulkner County sheriff’s office said its Special Response Team, along with the 20th Judicial Drug Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration agents, served a warrant searching for drugs and guns about 6 a.m. at 310 Linder Road in the Spring Hill community, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Two women were taken into custody without incident, deputies said. However, parolee John Paul York, 34, fought with a deputy and grabbed his AR-15 rifle, and a struggle ensued, the sheriff’s office said.
During the struggle, another deputy shot York, who received medical treatment on the scene and then was flown away by medical helicopter, deputies said. His wound is not considered life-threatening, authorities said.
State police were called to the scene to investigate per regular procedure, and the deputy who shot York is on administrative leave during the investigation, authorities said.
During the search, authorities recovered a large amount of methamphetamine, a stolen tractor, a stolen boat and a stolen truck. Another search warrant was simultaneously served in Pulaski County targeting stolen property involving the same suspect, the sheriff’s office said.
York’s charges are pending, deputies added.