Law enforcement officer involved shooting investigation underway; state police handling case

The Lonoke County Sheriff’s Department and Austin Police Department have requested the Arkansas State Police investigate an officer involved shooting incident occurring Saturday evening (March 13th) outside an Austin residence.
Dustin Black, 24, of Beebe, died after he was shot by a Lonoke County Sheriff’s Deputy and an Austin Police Officer.
Lonoke County authorities had been searching for Black who had reportedly fired at shotgun at a woman in Austin about 8 PM. Black had fled on foot from the crime scene at 24 Seminole Circle. The woman was not struck by the gunshot.
Shortly before 10:30 PM Black was located, outside near the same home where the shooting had occurred earlier in the evening. He was still armed with a shotgun. A local police officer and sheriff’s deputy gave repeated orders for Black to drop the gun. Black reportedly then raised the gun toward the law enforcement officers who fired their guns, wounding him. An ambulance was called to the scene by the officers who then approached Black and began providing life-sustaining aid. Neither of the law enforcement officers who had confronted Black were injured.

Black died at 11:33 PM while being treated at a North Little Rock hospital. His body has been transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory where a manner and cause of death will be determined.
Questions relating to the identity of the deputy and local police officer, and their administrative status, should be directed to the respective departments employing them.
Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division are preparing an investigative case file that will be turned-over to the Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney who will determine whether the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers was consistent with Arkansas laws.