Kyle Hunter, 11tth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney, has requested the Arkansas State Police conduct an investigation of an officer involved shooting incident that occurred in Pine Bluff early Wednesday afternoon.
According to State Police spokesman Bill Sadler, Special Agents of the State Police Criminal Investigation Division were at 5701 Womack Street where the shooting occurred.
Initial information provided by Pine Bluff Police Department personnel indicates an officer arrived at the residence about 2:30 p.m. to serve an arrest warrant. The warrant was to be served on Deontae Garrett, 19, who had been charged with kidnapping, residential burglary and theft.
Sadler said Garrett exited the house armed with a pistol and was told by the Pine Bluff officer to drop the gun. Garrett reportedly refused the command and subsequently pointed the gun at the officer who then shot Garrett.
Garrett was transported from the scene to Jefferson Regional Medical Center.
As per police department policy, the officer, whose name was not released, has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the state police investigation and an investigation by the department to determine if policies relating to deadly force were followed.
State Police Special Agents will continue to investigate the shooting incident and file an investigative report with Hunter who will determine whether use of deadly force by a police officer was used consistent with Arkansas law, Sadler said.