August 12, 2025
CABOT, Ark. — The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for the Twenty-Third Judicial District has concluded its review of a May 2025 officer-involved shooting in Cabot and determined two Cabot Police Department (CPD) officers acted lawfully and in accordance with Arkansas self-defense statutes.
On May 23, 2025, at approximately 2:55 p.m., CPD officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a stolen Range Rover traveling on South Rockwood Road. The driver, identified as Zion Jackson, 23, of Ward, fled from police, initiating a vehicle pursuit.
During the pursuit, officers deployed spike strips to stop the vehicle; Jackson evaded the tactic and drove toward CPD officers. In response, both officers discharged their service weapons. Jackson continued driving until his vehicle left the roadway on John Hardin Road and became disabled. He was taken into custody without injury to responding officers.
Jackson was wanted by the Conway Police Department on outstanding charges of Committing a Terroristic Act and First-Degree Battery in connection with an April 19, 2025, shooting at the University of Central Arkansas. The investigation revealed that Jackson, a convicted felon, had two guns hidden on his person.
Following a request from CPD, the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division conducted an independent investigation of the incident. The case file was reviewed by Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney Chuck Graham, who wrote in a letter to CPD Police Chief Scott Steely on August 7, that the officers, “reasonably believed that Zion Jackson used deadly physical force against them by attempting to hit them with his vehicle. Therefore, both officers were fully justified under the Arkansas statutory law of self-defense.”