Little Rock police on Monday identified the man killed after a vehicle crash and an officer-involved shooting over the weekend. Two officers who were injured were also named.
In a news release, authorities said officer Brittany Gunn was working early Saturday in an off-duty capacity at Local Union, a bar and grill in the Prospect Building at 1501 N. University Ave.
Shortly after 4 a.m., someone leaving the bar who had reportedly requested a ride from a transportation service saw a 2004 Mercedes Benz pull into the parking lot.
The individual asked the driver if he was with the service, and the driver reportedly said that he was.
Before the vehicle pulled away, Gunn saw that the driver, later identified as 28-year-old James Hartsfield of Little Rock, appeared to be drinking from a bottle of liquor, the release states.
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Photos by Mitchell Pe Masilun
Photos by Mitchell Pe Masilun
Authorities said Gunn stopped the car in the lot and ordered the driver out. Hartsfield reportedly refused to comply, and a physical altercation ensued. Gunn called for assistance on her police radio, according to the release.
When officer Nicholas Smith arrived, Gunn was reportedly on the passenger's side of the vehicle, struggling with the driver. Police said that Smith went to the driver's side and tried to help remove Hartsfield, who continued to resist.
During the struggle, the 28-year-old managed to put the vehicle in drive, tossing Smith onto the pavement, the release said.
The Mercedes accelerated toward a brick retaining wall, and Gunn, who was still in the passenger's side, fired her gun at the driver multiple times, according to authorities.
The vehicle reportedly crashed through the wall, landing on University Avenue and ejecting Gunn onto the street. She and Hartsfield were unresponsive when more officers arrived, the release said.
Medical personnel determined that Hartsfield, who had multiple gunshot wounds, had died. They transported Gunn to a nearby hospital, where she was treated for multiple contusions and abrasions. Smith was also treated at a hospital for a minor leg injury.
Both were released later Saturday and are on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, per department policy.
According to the release, Gunn was hired in 2012 and Smith was hired in 2013.
The shooting was the sixth involving Little Rock police this year, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette previously reported.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
