September 9, 2024
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The 19th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney will not pursue charges against Bentonville Police Officer Omri-Andrew Nutt in connection with the July 11, 2024, shooting death of Nathaniel Mark Crabtree, 37.
The Bentonville Police Department (BPD) asked the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) to investigate the officer-involved shooting.
“The investigation reveals that … Nathaniel Crabtree violently attacked two separate women in front of their homes,” wrote Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Robinson in a letter to Arkansas State Police (ASP), dated September 6, 2024. “Considering the totality of the circumstances, Officer Nutt had a reasonable belief that Mr. Crabtree would imminently use deadly physical force against him. Based upon the foregoing, Officer Nutt’s use of force was justified under Arkansas law.”
On Thursday, July 11, 2024, at approximately 6 p.m., BPD officers responded to a 911 call from a Stoneburrow neighborhood resident reporting a disturbance on Southwest Castlewood Street. Officer Nutt located the suspect, identified as Crabtree, on Sandrock Road. During the incident, Officer Nutt discharged his weapon, striking Crabtree. Crabtree was transported to Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Nutt, who began working for BPD in January 2022, was placed on paid administrative leave, per BPD protocol.