A confrontation at the Lewis Crossing Shopping Center in Conway, Arkansas ended with police fatally shooting an armed man who had earlier barricaded himself inside a massage therapy business on Saturday, April 6.
Conway Police Department SWAT team officers were dispatched to the scene following reports of a man who had driven his vehicle into the storefront of Massage Envy. Upon arrival, officers encountered the suspect, who had armed himself and taken refuge within a room of the business, effectively barricading himself. Efforts to negotiate with the man were abruptly halted when he fired shots at the police officers. The exchange of gunfire resulted in the man being hit. Although he was quickly transported to a hospital, he later succumbed to his injuries.
Throughout the altercation, no police officers sustained injuries.
The identity of the deceased man has yet to be disclosed by authorities. Officer Shad Foley, a spokesperson for the Conway Police Department, indicated that the investigation into this incident was in its preliminary stages, and questions regarding the man’s motives and potential charges remain unanswered.
Images and footage from the scene depicted the man’s white SUV entirely inside the massage therapy business. An armored police vehicle was temporarily positioned outside during the standoff, which necessitated the evacuation of surrounding businesses as a precautionary measure.
Ashley McCoy, a manager of a nearby business, described hearing what she believed to be gunshots, prompting police to advise her and her staff to stay indoors. Initial uncertainty about the nature of the situation led to fears of an active shooter among the public.
The Arkansas State Police have assumed responsibility for the investigation, a standard protocol when local police are involved in a shooting. This investigative process is designed to maintain impartiality and integrity, ensuring an independent examination of the events. The investigation’s conclusions will be forwarded to local prosecutors to assess whether the police’s actions were within legal parameters. Meanwhile, at least two officers have been placed on administrative leave as part of this process.
Located about 33 miles north of Little Rock, Conway is a community of roughly 67,000 people. This incident has reignited discussions about police tactics, the application of force, and the approach to managing standoffs and armed confrontations, necessitating surrounding businesses’ evacuation.
