Fatal October shooting by Arkansas officer found justified
FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) — A prosecutor has cleared a western Arkansas police officer in the fatal October shooting of a man who was holding a woman at knifepoint.
Prosecutor Daniel Shue says in a letter Friday to Fort Smith Police Chief Nathaniel Clark that officer Dylan Gray was justified in shooting 27-year-old Samuel Morris in October.
Police have said three officers investigating a report of domestic violence on Oct. 13 found Morris in an apartment holding a knife to the woman's throat.
Police say the woman was able to break free from Morris and Gray shot him when he refused to drop the knife.
Morris died later at a hospital.
Gray was placed on paid leave after the shooting and police spokesman Aric Gray says he expects Gray will now return to duty.