Special agents with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) are investigating the shooting death of a 37-year-old Bentonville man by a Bentonville Police Department (BPD) officer.
On Thursday, July 11, 2024, at approximately 6 p.m., BPD officers responded to a 911 call from a Stoneburrow neighborhood resident reporting a disturbance on Southwest Castlewood Street. Officer Omri-Andrew Nutt located the suspect, identified as Nathaniel Mark Crabtree, on Sandrock Road. During the incident, Officer Nutt discharged his weapon, striking Crabtree. Crabtree was transported to Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Nutt, who began working for BPD in January 2022, has been placed on paid administrative leave, per BPD protocol.
ASP CID agents will prepare an investigative file to be submitted to the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force by the officer was consistent with Arkansas laws.
The deceased was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, where the manner and cause of death will be determined.