NEWPORT, Arkansas — An October fatal shooting on U.S. Highway 67 by Arkansas State Police (ASP) has been ruled justified by a prosecuting attorney.
The decision came from Third Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Devon Holder who determined that the use of deadly force ASP troopers was justified in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Isaiah Cross on Oct. 11.
Cross was fatally shot after authorities said that he led troopers on a high-speed chase along Highway 67 in Jackson County around 9:41 a.m. on Oct. 11.
Authorities said that ASP troopers began the pursuit after Cross was seen "driving aggressively towards a marked ASP unit while traveling at speeds exceeding 120 mph."
Cross was stopped near the 80-mile maker on U.S. 67 South. From there, authorities said that a standoff ensued.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office closed off a part of the highway as crisis negotiators with ASP worked to deescalate the altercation.
Authorities said that Cross refused orders to exit his vehicle and allegedly threatened officers by claiming that he had a weapon.
Roughly 30 minutes later, he fled the scene and drove south in northbound lanes into heavy oncoming traffic at over 100 mph for roughly 10 miles.
During this pursuit, ASP officer utilized deadly force, firing at Cross when there was a gap in traffic. This caused his vehicle to run off the roadway into a ditch where it caught fire.
Cross died at the scene, according to authorities.
During the incident, two ASP troopers suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.
