Police: Arkansas man, 28, shot by officers after fleeing, pointing gun

Two Batesville police officers wounded a suspect Saturday evening during a traffic stop, an Arkansas State Police spokesman said Sunday.

The patrolmen pulled a vehicle over on U.S. 167 at about 7:15 p.m., and the passenger, Andrew Hatley, 28, of Batesville, fled on foot, said Liz Chapman of the Arkansas State Police.

"According to initial statements, Hatley ran a short distance then turned and pointed a handgun at the officers," Chapman said in a Sunday email. "Both officers fired their weapons, striking Hatley, who was transported to a local hospital for treatment."

Neither officer was injured during the stop, Chapman said, directing questions about the identity of the officers to the Batesville Police Department. Attempts to contact the department were unsuccessful Sunday.

[EMAIL UPDATES: Get free breaking news alerts, daily newsletters with top headlines delivered to your inbox]

State Police are investigating the incident, and the Independence County prosecutor will review the investigation to determine whether deadly force was justified.

Batesville police last month shot and killed a 44-year-old man who had shot an officer multiple times.

Batesville police officer Michael Dickinson responded to a home on Neeley Street on Nov. 3 to investigate a domestic disturbance when Marvin Stair opened fire, striking Dickinson multiple times, state police said.

Dickinson managed to fire back, and officers who arrived to back up Dickinson shot and killed Stair.

Dickinson suffered serious injuries but survived.

Chapman did not respond to a question Sunday about the status of the investigation into Stair's death.

Metro on 12/18/2017

Upcoming Events