A Stuttgart police officer was killed late Wednesday and an Arkansas State Trooper was injured Thursday morning after authorities attempted to arrest a Stone County man south of Stuttgart, according to a news release from state police.
Officers began a vehicle pursuit at around 11 p.m. Wednesday that ended south of Stuttgart near Rieger Road when the suspect, identified as Jacob Cole Barnes, 31, of Mountain View, abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot.
“During the foot pursuit, Barnes is believed to have fired on two Stuttgart police officers, resulting in the death of Sergeant Donald Scoby, 45, who was in foot pursuit of the suspect,” according to the release. Sgt. Scoby was a four-year veteran of the Stuttgart Police Department.
Police said Barnes then entered a residence on Rieger Road that was occupied by a woman who barricaded herself inside the home. The woman was safely removed from the home with help from a SWAT team shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday, police said.
Moments later, Barnes shot a SWAT team member who sustained a non-life threatening wound and is currently being treated at a Little Rock hospital, according to the release.
“Barnes was fatally wounded during an exchange of gunfire with SWAT team members,” the release stated.
An investigation into the shooting incident is ongoing.
