ATKINS, Ark. — A suspect believed to be involved in an attempted residential break-in Wednesday, March 30 in Atkins has died after being shot by police.
According to the Arkansas State Police, a person died after being shot by four law enforcement officers they allegedly came toward them with a piece of metal pipe.
On Friday, April 1, the Arkansas State Police identified the suspect as Samantha L. Edgmond, 35, of Springfield, Missouri.
Atkins police officers were called to the West Main Street area around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday night after Edgmond attempted to break-in to a resident.
Later, two Atkins police officers and two Pope County sheriff’s deputies saw Edgmond outside a second residence also on West Main Street.
According to initial reports, Edgmond began approaching the law enforcement officer, who was armed with a piece of metal pipe. Commands were reportedly given to Edgmond to drop the pipe, but police say were ignored.
As Edgmond continued to come toward the four officers, each fired their weapons, eventually leading to Edgmond dying at the scene.
The state police investigation will be submitted to the Pope County prosecuting attorney to use in a determination whether the use of deadly force by the deputies and police officers was consistent with Arkansas laws.
There is no information on the current administrative status of the law enforcement officers following the incident.
We will update this article with more information as it becomes available.