LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Little Rock Police Department is investigating an incident that happened just after 8:00 p.m. at a Walmart Supercenter on Baseline Road on December 31.
According to reports, officers were called with reports of shots fired at the Walmart on Baseline. Once they arrived they found a man and an officer both with injuries.
The Little Rock Police Department held a press conference on Monday, where they shared that the officer involved was "working in an off-duty capacity" at the Baseline Walmart.
According to LRPD, asset protection at the Walmart requested help in stopping the man, 30-year-old Benjamin McDaniel who was allegedly stealing from the store.
When the officer attempted to take McDaniel into custody, LRPD said that's when "[McDaniel] resisted and a struggle ensued."
During the struggle, LRPD said that McDaniel pulled out a knife and "cut" the officer, who then pulled out his gun and gave verbal commands for McDaniel to drop his knife.
Little Rock police said that McDaniel then allegedly charged at the officer, who fired his gun in response.
After the incident, McDaniel was transported to a hospital but later died due to the injuries. The officer involved in the shooting was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
LRPD said that the name of the officer involved is expected to be released in the next 24 hours.
The investigation into this incident remains ongoing and we will update with more information as soon as it becomes available.