Three people are dead in east Arkansas after a standoff Tuesday ended with state police shooting and killing a gunman, authorities said.
Helena-West Helena police responded to reports of a shooting at 202 Washington St. on Tuesday afternoon and found two women dead in the front yard, according to a news release provided Wednesday morning by Arkansas State Police.
In an interview early Wednesday afternoon, Helena-West Helena Mayor Kevin Smith said authorities had been unable to confirm any relationship between the gunman and the homicide victims.
State police identified the homicide victims as Christine Fulmer, 40, and Deanna Thomas Banks, 28, both of Helena-West Helena.
Officers from the city’s police department approached the home between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday, Smith said, after receiving reports of shots fired. Officers saw the women on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds, he said.
According to authorities, Raymond Lewis Williams Jr., 37, then came out with a rifle. Officers took cover, and Williams barricaded himself in the home, which Smith said was Williams’ residence. Local police requested assistance from the state police SWAT team.
Authorities said communication with Williams that lasted into the evening was “unsuccessful” and tear gas was released in the home at an unspecified time.
Soon after the tear gas was used, Williams appeared on the home’s porch and fired at officers with a rifle, police said.
According to Smith, the standoff ended around 10:45 p.m. when troopers then shot at Williams, who police said died at the scene.
Smith said initial witness reports indicated the women had pulled up in a car to a neighboring residence in the duplex where Williams lived. The car was still running when police arrived, the mayor said.
All three bodies will be sent to the Arkansa State Crime Laboratory to determine the manner and cause of death.
As is standard for police shootings, the troopers who fired on Williams have been placed on paid administrative leave while special agents prepare a report to present to the county prosecuting attorney, who will determine if the shooting was lawful.
CORRECTION: Due to information from Arkansas State Police, Christine Fulmer's name was misspelled and her age was incorrect in an earlier version of this story. Fulmer was 40.