UPDATE from The Associated Press:
Authorities identify 2 men shot dead by Arkansas trooper
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee investigators have identified the two men fatally shot by an Arkansas trooper during a chase between the two states. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the men Friday as Terrance Dogan, 27, and John H. Taylor, 18. The two were shot by Trooper Spencer Morris of the Arkansas State Police during a chase Thursday that began in Arkansas and ended in Memphis. Authorities said Morris exchanged gunfire with the men when at least one of them shot at and injured him. Morris wasn’t severely injured and was treated and released Thursday from a Memphis hospital.
Original story below:
An Arkansas State Trooper was wounded, and two men were fatally shot after a two-state pursuit, according to The Associated Press.
The Thursday chase began in West Memphis just after 2:30 p.m. when Arkansas State Police and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say Trooper Spencer Morris spotted a car on Interstate 55 matching an outstanding warrant out of South Carolina.
As the chase continued toward Memphis, authorities say at least one of the two men in the car exchanged gunfire with the trooper, who was wounded.
The car rolled off the highway in Memphis, and both men were found dead.
Police say Morris wasn’t severely injured. He was placed on administrative duty pending an investigation into his use of deadly force.
The Arkansas State Police released this statement regarding Trooper Morris and the incident:
Arkansas State Trooper Spencer Morris was struck by gunfire earlier this afternoon in the Memphis, Tennessee area while assisting other law enforcement agencies attempting to take an individual into custody.
Trooper Morris was transported to a Memphis hospital where doctors determined he had not sustained any life-threatening wounds.
Trooper Morris is 33 years old and a three-year veteran of the Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol Division where he is assigned to Troop D, headquartered at Forrest City.
As required under Arkansas State Police policy, Trooper Morris is currently on paid administrative leave while an investigation involving the use of deadly force is underway.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is the lead law enforcement agency investigating the incident and has released investigative information on its website.
The TBI released this statement regarding the incident:
At the request of 30th District Attorney General Amy Weirich, TBI special agents continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the shooting death of two men following a pursuit by Arkansas law enforcement officers from West Memphis, Arkansas, into Memphis.
Preliminary information indicates the shooting occurred just after 2:30 Thursday afternoon on the on-ramp to Interstate 55 North from McLemore Avenue. Arkansas State Police and U.S. Marshal Task Force Officers from the Eastern District of Arkansas were pursuing at least one individual wanted out of South Carolina on felony warrants. At some point during the pursuit, at least one of the individuals in the vehicle began firing at officers. One Arkansas State Trooper was struck by a bullet as he returned fire, hitting both individuals in the vehicle Both men were pronounced deceased at the scene. The Arkansas State Trooper was transported to a local hospital and is expected to fully recover.
TBI agents are working to independently determine the set of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney general for her further review and consideration.
The TBI acts as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney general requesting TBI’s involvement.
Associated Press
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