Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Two Fatal Police Shootings in Hot Springs and Springdale
Two tragic incidents unfolded in Hot Springs and Springdale within 24 hours, resulting in the deaths of two individuals at the hands of police officers. The first incident occurred in Hot Springs, where a shootout left a police officer wounded and a parolee fatally shot. The second incident took place in Springdale, where a person armed with a knife was killed by a police officer.
Hot Springs Shooting
The Hot Springs shooting took place in the parking lot of Albert Pike Car Wash, located at 2000 Albert Pike Road. The exchange of gunfire occurred around 9:35 p.m. on Monday, resulting in the death of Jody Lyn Lewis, a 45-year-old Sherwood parolee with a lengthy criminal history.
According to witness statements, the suspect exited the vehicle brandishing a firearm, prompting a shootout with the police. The injured officer, who remains unidentified, was taken to a local hospital and was reported to be in stable condition the following day.
The deceased suspect was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for further investigation. The Arkansas State Police will present an investigative case file to the prosecuting attorney to determine if the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law.
Springdale Shooting
In Springdale, the shooting occurred on Norfolk Avenue after police were dispatched to reports of a person damaging vehicles and threatening residents in the neighborhood. Upon arrival, an officer encountered a person armed with a knife who refused to drop the weapon. The officer subsequently shot the individual, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The Washington County sheriff’s office will conduct an investigation to determine if the use of deadly force was warranted. The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Previous Criminal History of Jody Lyn Lewis
Jody Lyn Lewis, the individual killed in the Hot Springs shooting, had a history of criminal offenses. In March 2022, he was arrested by Hot Springs police for driving a stolen car with a firearm and multiple drugs in his possession. He pleaded guilty to several felony charges in February 2023 and was sentenced to six years in prison, but was later paroled.
Lewis had prior convictions in Faulkner County in 2006 and Crawford County in 2014, as well as multiple felony convictions in Oregon. The events leading to his fatal encounter with the police on Monday night were a culmination of his criminal past.
For more information on this developing story, stay tuned for updates from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
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