NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A North Little Rock Police Department officer is now facing criminal charges after he discharged his weapon during a traffic stop earlier this month.
According to reports, just after midnight on July 19, Officer Jesse Gossage saw a vehicle driving with an expired license plate. He then turned on his lights and sirens and began to initiate a traffic stop.
The vehicle pulled over and the driver got out of the car while holding what was described as a "small dark object." The driver then ran off, and Officer Gossage discharged his weapon in the direction of the suspect.
Multiple shots were fired by the officer and they hit an uninvolved vehicle that had at least one person inside. Several officers then responded to the scene but had no luck in finding the fleeing suspect. No injuries were reported during the incident.
During an investigation into the incident, it was revealed that Officer Gossage had violated the NLRPD policy in regard to response to resistance and the use of deadly force.
He resigned from his position with NLRPD on July 29, 2024. It was then determined that criminal charges would be filed against Gossage and an arrest warrant was obtained that same day.
Gossage surrendered to police and was taken into custody on one count of criminal attempt to commit first-degree battery and one count of first-degree assault.
He is now being held in the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility.
“The North Little Rock Police Department is committed to holding its officers to the highest standards of conduct and integrity. When those standards are not met, it is our duty to act decisively and in the best interests of our community. We pledge to uphold transparency and accountability, taking every necessary step to resolve the issue and preserve the trust placed in us by the public," said NLRPD Chief Thessing.
Gossage was a police officer with the North Little Rock Police Department for nearly four years.