Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Kyle Hunter has found that three Pine Bluff police officers were justified under state law in using deadly physical force following a reported fleeing attempt Nov. 21.
Jeremy Lawrence Jr., 23, died after being shot following a pursuit that involved officers Derek Johnson, J.L. Williams and Corey Lowery. The Pine Bluff Police Department issued an initial report that officers exchanged gunfire with a suspect on 27th Avenue and Maple Street, then followed hours later with a statement that “it is now undetermined if the suspect fired a weapon at this time.”
A police report indicated Lawrence “began to fire numerous rounds, presumably at the approaching officers.”
According to a news release from Hunter’s office Tuesday, a blue SUV entered the scene of a shooting near 32nd Avenue and Plum Street at about 10:23 that night and disregarded commands to stop. Hunter stated an officer observed a firearm in the lap of a backseat passenger, later identified as Lawrence, and heard him yell “Go” as the vehicle reportedly fled and nearly struck an officer. Three police vehicles began pursuing the SUV with lights and sirens, and the SUV reportedly ran two stop signs and exceeded 50 mph in a 35-mph zone before slowing to a stop on 27th Avenue.
Lawrence reportedly exited the vehicle while it was still slowing down. The news release states Lawrence was wearing a black mask and blue latex gloves and was carrying a Draco-style pistol.
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“Officers reported that Lawrence briefly pointed the firearm at them before fleeing on foot between nearby residences,” the release states. “He ignored commands to drop the weapon. Officers pursued Lawrence through yards, across 27th Avenue, and into a wooded area between 27th and 28th avenues.
“According to officers, Lawrence stopped in the wooded area, turned toward them and raised his hands from his waist in a manner they believed indicated he was about to fire,” the release states. “Officers discharged their weapons until Lawrence indicated he was surrendering. Officers then approached, secured Lawrence in handcuffs and immediately began administering medical aid, including applying tourniquets. He was transported by EASI ambulance to Jefferson Regional Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.”
Hunter determined the officers — who they only identified as Lowery, Williams and Johnson — acted within state law to use deadly force “(b)ased on the totality of the circumstances — including reports of gunfire, Lawrence’s possession and display of a firearm, his flight from officers, his alleged aggravated assault upon exiting the SUV, and his actions in the wooded area.” Hunter continued that it was determined the officers “reasonably believed Lawrence was armed and dangerous and that the use of deadly physical force was necessary to effect his arrest and to protect themselves from what they reasonably perceived as an imminent threat.
“Accordingly, the use of deadly force by the officers was determined to be legally justified under Arkansas law.”
Arkansas State Police conducted an independent investigation at Pine Bluff police’s request. According to Hunter’s office, investigators retraced Lawrence’s flight path, recovered his cell phone and expended shell casings from the officers’ firearms, and located the pistol in a fenced backyard behind a residence on 27th Avenue.
Hunter’s office added the review was done pursuant to Section 5-2-610(b) of the Arkansas Code. This statute, according the release, “provides that an officer is justified in using deadly physical force if the officer reasonably believes such force is necessary to effect an arrest or prevent the escape of a person reasonably believed to have committed a felony and who is presently armed or dangerous, or to defend the officer or others from the use or imminent use of deadly physical force.”
Johnson, Williams and Lowery will be reinstated from paid administrative leave, according to Pine Bluff Police Lt. David DeFoor. The Pine Bluff police report listed them as victims, but DeFoor said none of the officers sustained any injuries.
A fourth person only identified as “Society” was listed as a victim, but the extent of any injuries for that person is unknown.