UPDATED INFORMATION – JUNE 10, 2015
I-49 SHOOTING INCIDENT REMAINS ACTIVE STATE POLICE INVESTIGATION
The Arkansas State Police is continuing its investigation of a Monday morning (June 8th) shooting incident along I-49 near Mountainburg.
Arkansas State Trooper Josh Elmore remains on administrative leave with pay while Special Agents of the department’s Criminal Investigation Division and Office of Professional Standards continue their independent investigations.
Trooper Elmore, assigned to the Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol Division, Troop H in Crawford County, is 27 years old and has been a State Trooper for approximately one year. State Police policy requires a State Trooper to be placed on administrative leave with pay in the aftermath of using deadly force that results in the wounding or death of a person.
Agents are continuing to assemble forensic evidence, witness statements and audio/video recordings which will be turned-over to Marc McCune, 21st Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney. Prosecutor McCune will review the investigative file to determine whether deadly force used by Trooper Elmore was consistent with state laws.
At approximately 6:20 AM Monday, Trooper Elmore, while on patrol along I-49, encountered Gil Antonio Ramirez Lemus walking along the southbound shoulder of the interstate highway.
Trooper Elmore exited his patrol car and approached Lemus on foot. Lemus refused to comply with orders directed to him by Trooper Elmore. Lemus became combative as Trooper Elmore moved toward him.
Lemus fled into the traffic lanes of I-49 forcing traffic to stop and continued to ignore Trooper Elmore’s orders. As Lemus became combative Trooper Elmore deployed a TASER charge on Lemus who pulled the leads of the TASER from his body and moved to a wooded embankment above the roadway.
As Trooper Elmore approached Lemus standing at the top of the embankment, Lemus raised a hand holding a large rock in a threatening manner, leading the trooper to fire his service weapon wounding Lemus.
ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE – JUNE 8, 2015
The Arkansas State Police is investigating an officer involved shooting incident that occurred in Crawford County along Interstate 49 near the 32 mile marker, north of Mountainburg.
At approximately 6:20 AM today (Monday, June 8th) an Arkansas State Trooper on patrol along I-49 encountered an individual walking along the southbound shoulder of the interstate highway.
As the trooper approached the pedestrian, the unidentified man refused to comply with orders from the trooper and became combative with the trooper.
The pedestrian fled into the traffic lanes and took-up a position on a wooded embankment above the roadway.
Initial reports indicate that as the state trooper moved into a position to arrest the individual, the pedestrian raised his hand holding a large rock in a threatening manner, leading the trooper to fire his service weapon, wounding the man.
The pedestrian was transported to a Fort Smith hospital where he is reported in stable condition.
An investigation of the incident is underway by the department’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Office of Professional Standards. An investigative file will be submitted to the prosecuting attorney to determine whether deadly force was used consistent with Arkansas laws.
At this time the identity of the pedestrian is uncertain.
As prescribed by Arkansas State Police policy, the trooper is on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues.