April 12, 2024
COLUMBUS, Ark. — Special Agents with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) are investigating the shooting death of a Hempstead County man by a Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputy.
On Thursday, April 11, 2024, at approximately 8:52 p.m., HCSO responded to a 2900 block of Highway 73 residence in the Columbus community of Hempstead County to serve a felony arrest warrant. Deputies contacted the subject of the warrant, identified as Randy May, 65, at the front door of his residence. According to a witness, May was armed with a machete and charged deputies. A deputy fired his service weapon, striking May. May succumbed to his injuries on the scene.
ASP CID agents will prepare an investigative file to be submitted to the Hempstead County Prosecuting Attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force by the sheriff’s deputy was consistent with Arkansas laws.