Trooper with Troop D injured in shootout
A trooper assigned to Arkansas State Police Troop D, headquartered in Forrest City, was struck by gunfire Thursday afternoon in the Memphis area while assisting other law enforcement agencies in attempting to take an individual into custody.
Trooper Spencer Morris, 33, was transported to a Memphis hospital where doctors determined he had not sustained any life-threatening wounds. After the medical examination, he was released to return home. Morris is a three-year veteran of the Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol Division at Troop D.
Two men were killed in the shootout that occurred about 2:30 p.m., on the on-ramp to Interstate 55 North from McLemore Ave., in Memphis.
Police said the pursuit began in West Memphis.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, ASP and U.S. Marshal Task Force Officers from the Eastern District of Arkansas were pursuing at least one individual wanted out of South Carolina on felony warrants. At some point during the pursuit, at least one of the individuals in the vehicle began firing at officers. Morris was struck by a bullet as he returned fire, hitting both individuals in the vehicle. Both men were pronounced deceased at the scene.
As required under Arkansas State Police policy, Morris is currently on paid administrative leave while an investigation involving the use of deadly force is underway, officials said in an ASP press release.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is the lead law enforcement agency investigating the incident.
According to a statement on the TBI website, agents are working to independently determine the set of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney general for further review and consideration.
“TBI acts as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney general requesting TBI’s involvement,” officials said.