A Portia man is dead after he reportedly began firing a gun randomly outside his home Monday afternoon and was later confronted by law enforcement officers attempting to have the gunman surrender, according to a release from the Arkansas State Police.
Lawrence County sheriff’s deputies and Arkansas State Troopers responded to a call at 3:45 p.m. of a man firing a gun indiscriminately in the neighborhood around his home.
A sheriff’s deputy and two state troopers observed William Chad Newman, 40, who resided at the address standing inside a shop building with a handgun and rifle.
Law enforcement officers made repeated attempts requesting Newman to drop the guns and surrender. Newman refused to comply and pointed one of the guns at the officers who then fired on Newman, state police said.
The troopers and deputy rushed to the aid of Newman to provide life-saving medical aid. Newman was later pronounced deceased at the scene.
Special agents of the state police Criminal Investigation Division were called to the residence and are conducting an investigation of the incident.
Newman’s body is being transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory where an autopsy will be conducted and evidence recovered from the scene will be examined.
The investigative case file will be presented to the Lawrence County prosecuting attorney who will determine whether the use of deadly force by the troopers and deputy was consistent with Arkansas law, the state police said.
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