Holly MatkinLawrence County, AR – Two Arkansas police officers were hospitalized after being attacked by a suspect wreaking havoc in traffic on a local highway Monday morning.
The incident began at approximately 9 a.m. on June 14 when multiple citizens called 911 to report there was a man “jumping out into traffic” on the Highway 63 bridge over the 367 Exchange, Lawrence County Chief Deputy Tony Waldrupe told KAIT.
A Hoxie Police Department (HPD) officer arrived at the scene first and tried to approach the suspect, but quickly found himself under attack, police said.
A Walnut Ridge Police Department (WRPD) officer was also assaulted by the suspect when he arrived to help the HPD officer, according to investigators.
HPD Chief Glen Smith said two shots were fired during the brawl, but he did not disclose who fired the gun, KAIT reported.
No one was struck by the bullets, Chief Smith said.
The officers were rushed to a local hospital where they were being treated for unspecified, non-life threatening injuries, KAIT reported.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody.
The identities of the officers also have not been released.
Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies and jurisdictions responded to the scene, according to KARK.
The Arkansas State Police’s (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division is assisting with the ongoing investigation, KAIT reported.
Investigators have not released the identities of the injured officers, nor have they provided any details regarding the types of injuries they suffered.
Per Lawrence County CID: A man is in custody after allegedly attacking police officers.
Dispatch had received multiple calls, saying a man was jumping out into traffic on Highway 63 from the 367 exchange.
The man allegedly began to attack officers as they approached him.
— Logan Whaley (@LoganWhaleyKAIT) June 14, 2021
I can confirm a suspect is in custody. A name hasn’t been released. We’re expecting a press release from Arkansas State Police later this afternoon.
— Logan Whaley (@LoganWhaleyKAIT) June 14, 2021
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