June 9, 2025
VAN BUREN, Ark. — Twenty-First Judicial Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Holmes has determined that the use of deadly force by Arkansas State Police (ASP) Troopers was justified in the May 2025 shooting death of Austin Byrd, 27.
The incident occurred on Friday, May 16, 2025, around 6:30 a.m., after ASP received a report about a reckless driver near the 7-mile marker on eastbound Interstate 40 near Van Buren. Troopers suspected that this vehicle was connected to an earlier domestic disturbance and aggravated robbery in Fort Smith.
The suspect, identified as Byrd, stopped at the Hilltop Travel Center in Alma and entered the store. ASP Troopers and Crawford County Deputies responded, and an altercation ensued between Byrd and law enforcement, during which Byrd produced a handgun and fled.
Officers pursued Byrd, repeatedly commanding him to drop his weapon. Byrd turned to face the officers while still armed and refused to comply. As a result, ASP Troopers fired their weapons, striking him fatally.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident. ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division investigated the shooting and submitted a case file to the Prosecuting Attorney.
In a letter addressed to ASP on June 9, 2025, Prosecuting Attorney Holmes concluded, after reviewing the case file, that the Troopers’ use of lethal force was consistent with Arkansas law.
