A tense situation unfolded on Saturday, April 6, at the Lewis Crossing Shopping Center in Conway, Arkansas, ending in the fatal police shooting of an armed man who had initially barricaded himself inside a massage therapy business.
After receiving reports of a man who had rammed his vehicle into the Massage Envy storefront, officers from the Conway Police Department SWAT team were deployed to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the suspect holed up inside a room of the business, armed and barricaded. Negotiations with the man ended abruptly when he fired at the police officers. The ensuing gunfire exchange led to the man being struck. Despite being rushed to a hospital, he later died from his injuries.
Throughout the incident, no police officers were harmed.
The deceased man’s identity was not released by the authorities. According to Officer Shad Foley, a spokesperson for the Conway Police Department, the investigation into the incident is still in the early stages, leaving questions about the man’s motivations and possible charges unanswered.
The scene showed the man’s white SUV completely inside the massage therapy business. An armored police vehicle was briefly stationed outside during the standoff, leading to the evacuation of nearby businesses as a safety measure.
Ashley McCoy, a manager at a business close by, reported hearing what she thought were gunshots. This led to police advising her and her staff to remain indoors. The initial uncertainty about the situation sparked fears of an active shooter among the public.
The Arkansas State Police has taken over the investigation, which is standard procedure when local law enforcement is involved in a shooting. This process ensures an impartial and comprehensive review of the incident. The findings will be handed over to local prosecutors to determine whether the police’s actions were legally justified. In the meantime, at least two officers have been put on administrative leave as part of this process.
Conway, a community of approximately 67,000 people located about 33 miles north of Little Rock, Arkansas, is in the spotlight as this incident has sparked renewed debate about police tactics, use of force, and how to handle standoffs and armed confrontations that necessitate the evacuation of surrounding businesses.