A fatal shooting involving an Izard County sheriff’s deputy last month has been ruled a lawful use of deadly force, according to preliminary findings released Friday by the prosecuting attorney’s office.
Sixteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Drew Smith concluded that the deputy was responding to an “imminent deadly threat” when he shot and killed 35-year-old David Douglas of Mountain Home on April 18.
The confrontation began around 9:45 a.m. after dispatchers received reports of a disturbance involving a man armed with a knife and a hammer. Deputies from Izard and Stone counties arrived at a residence on Sylamore Vista Lane, where they encountered Douglas.
According to the prosecutor’s review, a deputy initially attempted to subdue Douglas using a conducted electrical weapon, commonly known as a Taser. When the Taser proved ineffective, the deputy discharged his service firearm, striking Douglas. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The ruling follows an independent investigation by special agents with the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division. The findings were submitted to Smith’s office for a formal review of the legality of the force used.
In a letter addressed to the state police on May 1, Smith stated that based on the available facts, the deputy’s actions appeared legally justified under Arkansas law.
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