Sandy MaloneHelena-West Helena, AR – A manhunt is underway for the suspect who is believed to have fatally shot a Helena-West Helena police officer on Thursday night.
Helena-West Helena Police Chief James Patrick Smith said the incident occurred on Nov. 12 when two officers responded to a tip that a suspect wanted in connection with a shooting could be found at the Delta Inn Motel, CNN reported.
Chief Smith said that when the officers arrived at the motel, they encountered a maroon SUV.
The chief said that the SUV pulled up to the police car and the passenger got out and opened fire on the officers, WMC reported.
One of the officers was fatally shot, the other was not hit.
The officer who wasn’t injured identified the cop killer as 29-year-old Latarius Howard, WMC reported.
#BREAKING: A state-wide search is underway for 29-year-old Latarius Howard, police say.
He is accused of shooting and killing a Helena-West Helena officer Thursday. This happened at the Delta Inn Motel. Police say do NOT approach, he’s considered armed and dangerous. #ARnews pic.twitter.com/2acPIMYo0c
— Alexis Wainwright (@AWainwrightTV) November 13, 2020
Howard is also the suspect in the Nov. 1 shooting of 45-year-old Charles Selvy at his home in the 300-block of Denise Drive in West Helena.
Selvy told police he was sitting on his couch listening to music when an unidentified suspect entered the house, hit him in the head, and shot him, according to WMC.
Police later learned that Howard may have been involved in the incident.
Officers were trying to apprehend him when he opened fire on them, WMC reported.
Officials have not yet released the name of the murdered officer.
Arkansas State Police troopers and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) joined local authorities in a manhunt for the suspect overnight, according to FOX News.
Police said the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about Howard’s whereabouts is asked to contact the police.
This morning the search continues for Latarius Howard the suspect of a shooting that killed a police officer at this motel in Helena-West Helena. We’re live on #GoodDayMemphis pic.twitter.com/fFspcvhmrT
— Jalyn Souchek (@Local24Jalyn) November 13, 2020
BREAKING: .@ATFNewOrleans Special Agents from Little Rock Field Office are responding to report of a shooting of a police officer outside of Helena-West Helena, AR. Please direct all media inquiries to Helena-West Helena PD. pic.twitter.com/BlpOfFD9b2
— ATF New Orleans (@ATFNewOrleans) November 13, 2020
Please keep the Helena-West Helena Police Department, Arkansas in your thoughts and prayers. They had an officer shot and killed last night.#officerdown #neverforgetthefallen #EOW #HelenaWestHelena #arkansas pic.twitter.com/0MJPCL1lQF
— Oakboro Police Dept. (@Oakboropolicenc) November 13, 2020
My heart again hurts to learn of another death in our law enforcement community as an officer tragically lost their life this evening. Please lift up prayers for the family and the entire Helena-West Helena Police Department. pic.twitter.com/e8Znmfmwf3
— Leslie Rutledge (@AGRutledge) November 13, 2020
MORE: the Helena-West Helena police chief says this is the suspect wanted for shooting and killing an officer tonight.
He was wanted for a Nov 1st shooting. They were trying to take him into custody when the officer was fatally wounded. #wmc5 pic.twitter.com/eJT8MaX7kZ
— Joyce Peterson (@MemphoNewsLady) November 13, 2020
#breaking Helena west Helena police officer shot and killed tonight trying to apprehend a murder suspect @JBroachWMC pic.twitter.com/EtJxCl73Fc
— Janice Broach (@JBroachWMC) November 13, 2020
This is a developing story and we will keep you updated. For all of our updates, follow us on Facebook and go to your news feed preferences under your settings, then select that you want to see more of Blue Lives Matter posts in your news feed. Otherwise, Facebook may not show you updates.
Holly Matkin
