January 23, 2024

JONESBORO – The 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney will not pursue charges against Jonesboro Police Officer Zachary Hobbs in connection with the January 9, 2024, shooting death of Joseph L. McCrackin Jr.

“Arkansas Code Annotated § 5-2-610 (b)(2) allows the use of deadly force when an officer believes it necessary to defend himself or a third person from what the law enforcement officer reasonably believes to be the imminent use of physical deadly force,” wrote Prosecuting Attorney Sonia F. Hagood in a letter to Arkansas State Police (ASP), dated January 19, 2024. “Ofc. Hobbs acted reasonably and was justified in using deadly physical force. This letter is your authority to close the use of force review as justified. No prosecution will follow.”

The Jonesboro Police Department asked ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division to investigate the incident.

At approximately 7:45 p.m. that evening, the Jonesboro Police dispatch center received a call regarding an altercation between a father and his adult son at a home in the 1100 block of West Jefferson Street in Jonesboro. A witness told dispatch that the son was armed with a knife.

A Jonesboro Police officer arrived at the home and confronted McCrackin Jr., 26, of Little Rock.  A physical altercation ensued, and the officer fired his service weapon, striking McCrackin. Emergency personnel administered first aid, and McCrackin was pronounced dead at the scene.

In Hagood’s letter, she said, “… The suspect continued to use violent physical force on Officer Hobbs with no indication that he would stop until the officer was incapacitated or deceased. Additionally, the suspect reached for Ofc. Hobbs’ service weapon during the violent encounter.”