Accident – Death – Obituary News :
The Incident in Northeast Washington County
In a startling development, former Washington County sheriff’s deputy Stevon Grindstaff, 28, of Fayetteville, was charged with murder after Arkansas State Police uncovered video evidence that contradicted the initial account of a fatal shooting. The incident took place at the intersection of Blue Springs Road and Beav-O-Rama Road in northeast Washington County.
Details of the Incident
On December 3, around 10:36 p.m., Grindstaff attempted to stop Scottie Stacy, 57, who was driving a pickup truck in the area. Stacy refused to comply and led Grindstaff on a pursuit that ended in a field, where the fatal encounter took place.
According to initial reports, Grindstaff claimed that Stacy accelerated in reverse towards him and his patrol car, leading him to fire his weapon in self-defense. However, a subsequent investigation revealed a different sequence of events captured on in-car and body camera footage.
Video Evidence Contradicts Initial Account
The video footage obtained from the Sheriff’s Office showed a different perspective of the incident. It depicted Grindstaff positioning his patrol vehicle strategically behind Stacy’s truck before approaching the driver’s side. As Stacy attempted to drive away, Grindstaff discharged his firearm multiple times at the retreating vehicle.
Tragically, Scottie Stacy lost his life at the scene, while a passenger in the truck, identified as Stacie Chicken, was unharmed. The discrepancies between the initial report and the video evidence prompted the involvement of the State Police’s Criminal Investigation Division.
Legal Ramifications and Termination
Following the investigation, Grindstaff was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault by a special prosecutor. He was subsequently arrested and released on $250,000 bond, with an arraignment scheduled for April 3 in Washington County Circuit Court. The former deputy, who had served six years with the Sheriff’s Office, was terminated prior to his arrest.
Sheriff Jay Cantrell’s decision to request a thorough investigation by the State Police underscores the commitment to transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for all involved parties.
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