An armed man was fatally shot by police after barricading himself inside a massage therapy business at the Lewis Crossing Shopping Center in Conway, Arkansas, on Saturday, April 6. The man had reportedly driven his vehicle into the storefront of Massage Envy before the standoff ensued.
The Conway Police Department dispatched their SWAT team in response to the incident. Upon their arrival, the officers found the suspect armed and barricaded in a room inside the business. Negotiation attempts were disrupted when the man opened fire on the officers, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which the man was struck. Despite being rushed to a hospital, he later succumbed to his injuries.
Fortunately, no police officers were injured during the altercation. The identity of the deceased man has not yet been released by authorities. Officer Shad Foley, a spokesperson for the Conway Police Department, stated that the investigation into the incident is in its early stages and many questions about the man’s motives and potential charges remain unanswered.
Photographs and video footage from the scene showed the man’s white SUV completely inside the massage therapy business. An armored police vehicle was stationed outside for the duration of the standoff. The situation necessitated the evacuation of nearby businesses as a safety precaution.
Ashley McCoy, a manager of a business in the vicinity, reported hearing what she thought were gunshots. Police advised her and her staff to remain indoors, leading to initial public fears of an active shooter situation.
The investigation has now been handed over to the Arkansas State Police, a standard procedure when local police are involved in a shooting. This process is designed to ensure impartiality and integrity in the investigation. The findings will be passed on to local prosecutors to determine if the police’s actions were justified. In the meantime, at least two officers have been placed on administrative leave as part of the investigation’s protocol.
The town of Conway, located about 33 miles north of Little Rock, is home to approximately 67,000 residents.
This incident has sparked renewed debates about police tactics, the use of force, and the handling of armed standoffs, particularly those that require evacuation of surrounding businesses.
