A Little Rock man was shot and critically wounded by a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences police officer Thursday morning, state police reported.
Tyrone Dante Washington, 39, reportedly attempted to drive away in a truck that was not his that had been parked near the UAMS emergency department around 2:45 a.m. Thursday.
A UAMS officer blocked Shuffield Drive to prevent the truck from leaving the hospital campus, according to a news release.
An officer then approached Washington, who was in the driver's seat of the truck, and asked him to stop the engine, police reported.
Washington refused, leading the officer to reach into the truck to turn off the ignition, authorities said. With the officer's arm inside, Washington accelerated, dragging the officer a short distance before he could free himself from the moving vehicle, police said.
According to state police, as the officer fell from the truck, a second UAMS officer shot at Washington, wounding him. Washington was taken back to the hospital where he was being treated Thursday, police said.
The officer who fell from the truck was treated for minor abrasions and bruises at UAMS, and was later released, police records show.
According to state police, special agents from the Criminal Investigations Division have been assigned to the case, which will be turned over to the prosecuting attorney in the 6th Judicial District. Prosecutors will determine whether the use of deadly force was justified, police said.