Prosecutor rules shooting of Farmington man justified

FAYETTEVILLE -- Deputies who shot to death a Farmington man last month were justified in their actions, Prosecutor Matt Durrett said in an email Wednesday.

Randolph Blecher, 50, of 133 Neal St. in Farmington was shot multiple times by two Washington County sheriff's deputies and a deputy who at the time was working as a Goshen police officer during a standoff June 24.

Arkansas State Police finished an investigation earlier this month and turned the file over to Durrett. On Wednesday, Durrett said he found no criminal wrongdoing among the law enforcement officials.

Blecher had set his house on fire and fired a weapon at least once during the standoff, according to law enforcement records. One investigation shows Blecher may have fired at law enforcement officers when they fired back, according to a news release from the sheriff's office earlier this month.

Internal investigations by the Washington County sheriff's office and Goshen Police Department previously found the shooting justified.

The deputies involved -- Lt. Josh McConnell and Cpl. Brian Comstock -- returned to work earlier this month, a spokesman said. Part-time Goshen police officer and full-time deputy William Sweeney also has returned to work.

Metro on 07/24/2016

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