Man’s death after arrest investigated

Foot chase followed traffic stop by Fayetteville police

FAYETTEVILLE — A man arrested after a foot chase Monday night died Tuesday morning, police spokesman Sgt. Craig Stout said Wednesday.

Phillip Jerriel Moore, 23, of Fayetteville died at Washington Regional Medical Center, according to a police news release.

Police delayed releasing information on Moore’s death “out of consideration of the family, who has members in several states,” Stout said. Moore previously lived in El Dorado, Stout said.

An officer stopped Moore for a traffic violation at 9:48 p.m. Monday at South West Avenue and West Prairie Street, according to the news release. The officer searched the vehicle after smelling marijuana, and Moore fled.

The officer called for backup, Stout said. Police chased Moore north along the railroad tracks at South University Avenue, according to the release. They found him hiding in brush and arrested him without incident, according to the release.

Seven officers and a supervisor were at the scene when Moore was arrested, Stout said.

Moore told a police officer “his legs weren’t working,” and he was having trouble breathing, according to the release. Police called an ambulance.

Central EMS employees said Moore was OK to be taken to the Washington County Detention Center, but Moore stopped talking to police on the way to the jail, according to the release. Police stopped and called Central EMS again who took him to the hospital, according to the news release.

Central EMS Chief Becky Stewart confirmed Wednesday police called the ambulance service twice in a span of a few minutes.

Stout said police and Moore didn’t scuffle and police didn’t use a stun gun on Moore during the arrest. Moore followed directions, was arrested and put into the back of a patrol vehicle, according to the release.

“We never really put hands on him,” Stout said.

Police said in the release the cause of Moore’s death is “not believed to be related to use of force by police.”

Moore’s body will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to determine cause of death, Stout said.

Fayetteville police are doing an internal investigation into Moore’s death, according to the release.

Central EMS reviewed how the ambulance service treated Moore and found his treatment “was in compliance with protocols,” Stewart said.

Fayetteville police requested the Washington

County Sheriff ’s Office investigate to be sure there was no criminal wrongdoing, said Kelly Cantrell, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman.

Law enforcement officials wouldn’t release video or audio of Moore’s arrest. The investigation will be turned over to Prosecutor Matt Durrett, who will determine whether to release the recordings, Cantrell said.