A confrontation with police by a man who had civil papers to be served on him resulted in the man being shot early Saturday evening, around 7:15 p.m. near the parking lot of an area restaurant just south of the White River bridge at Batesville.
Batesville Police Chief Alan Cockrill said his two officers received information that Andrew D. Hatley, 28, of Batesville was in the area of the restaurant. Hatley was apparently to be served with civil papers, as civil process officers of the Independence County Sheriff’s Department had been looking for him.
After the two officers stopped a vehicle in which Hatley was a passenger. Chief Cockrill said after an apparent confrontation between Hatley and the officers, Hatley then fled on foot, ran a short distance, and then turned and pointed a handgun at the officers, who fired their weapons, striking Hatley. The officers were not hit by gunfire. As of yet, the officers’ names have not been released.
Hatley was transported to the White River Medical Center for emergency treatment. Chief Cockrill said there was no immediate word on Hatley’s condition Sunday morning.
Chief Cockrill said the initial information will be investigated by agents with the Arkansas State Police Investigative unit. They will investigate the shooting to determine if the use of deadly police force was justified. Their report will be presented in written form to the District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
For more information on this and other stories, listen to Gary B. and Ozark Newsline tomorrow on Arkansas 103.3, 93 KZLE and other W.R.D. Entertainment radio stations.
