An off-duty Washington County deputy shot an 18-year-old passenger in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Sunday night while responding to complaints about fireworks, police said.
The shooting happened at about 10:20 p.m. in the area of Eastpoint Drive and South Roberts Road, on the east side of town. Police said they had received multiple calls about people in vehicles lighting fireworks in the area.
Sgt. John Byrd, who has served with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office since February 2009 and is a sergeant in the detention center, went to intervene at the scene and fired his gun, hitting the passenger. The other vehicles left the scene, while Byrd stayed there.
The 18-year-old, who has not been named, is expected to survive his injuries, according to police. No hospital was named in the report.
The Fayetteville Police Department is investigating the shooting. Byrd has been placed on administrative leave, and the sheriff’s office is conducting its own internal investigation. No arrest or charge has been reported.
A neighbour, Jennifer Knowles, said she had heard fireworks through the summer before a louder noise that her son asked about as a possible gunshot. Arkansas State University criminology professor Angelo Brown said there was a lack of information so far and hoped for a thorough investigation.
Source: 4029tv.com (KHBS)
Replies