At approximately 11:44 a.m. Monday, October 17, 2016, officers responded to the 1200 block of River Oaks for a report of a family disturbance with a 17-year-old juvenile possessing a handgun. Upon arrival, officers were told the 17-year-old suspect had fled into a wooded area near the home.
Multiple officers searched the area for a welfare concern of the suspect, who was later located in the wooded area. After failing to comply with officer commands to drop the weapon, the suspect pointed the handgun toward an officer, which resulted in shots being fired by the officer. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A handgun that was in the suspect’s possession during the incident was located at the scene. Under Departmental policy, the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. This is an ongoing investigation and additional details will be made available as it progresses.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us an anonymous crime tip about this incident to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on iTunes and Google Play.
Any suspects listed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
While the final result was sad and end it in a young man’s death the officer had a split second choice.. all the young man had to do was drop the weapon and he would be alive… He chose to draw on the officer and then that also had to make the choice of choosing between his life and stopping that man. Put yourself in their officers shoes. Some say why not just shoot to wound? Police work isn’t the old west. It’s almost impossible to shoot the weapon have someone’s hand. What if you don’t want the person enough and they shoot you anyway? All lives matter…
Another citizen killed by our police. Concerned for his welfare you kill him? Police need to be trained to not kill. What did this juvenile do to be hunted down in the woods and killed? Police kill out of concern for our welfare. Just like I get pulled over for a cracked windshield “out of concern for my safety”. I don’t believe for an instance that police are concerned for my safety. They hope the motorist they pull over is dirty. For us without a badge GOD help us!
What did he do? He aimed a gun at a police officer! It is about time that people start accepting responsibility for their actions and understand that there are consequences for the actions they take.
This is a tragedy, Alberto, please don;t use this to further you “poor me” agenda of ” it is everybody’s fault but mine” He made the choice to draw on an officer. The officer made a choice to live and now has to carry the burden of taking a life with him forever.
Such a tragic loss! My heart breaks for this family. My prayers are with all of you.