FORT SMITH, Ark. — WARNING: Some of the details in this story are extremely graphic.
A grisly scene unfolded early Sunday in northwest Arkansas when a police officer fatally shot a man who cut the officer’s throat. The attack occurred as the officer attempted to arrest the man who was bludgeoning a 15-year-old boy with a rock in the front yard of a Fort Smith home.
Fort Smith Chief of Police Danny Baker confirmed in a prepared statement delivered during an afternoon news conference that the officer, identified only as having been with the force for 16 months, is in stable condition at an area hospital following emergency surgery to repair “serious lacerations” to his throat and neck. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave, as is protocol for all officer-involved shootings, Baker said, confirming that the officer appeared to be acting in self-defense when he fired his weapon twice at his assailant.
Specifically, Baker said the officer arrived at around 6:15 a.m. on the scene of a domestic disturbance reported by a caller to find Christofer Conner, 40, “beating a 15-year-old male in the head with a rock.” The juvenile, later identified as Conner’s son, was pronounced dead at an area hospital, having sustained multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma, Baker stated.
Following the fatal encounter with Conner, officers found another victim and evidence of a violent attack inside the Tilles Avenue home, KNWA reported.
Baker identified that victim as Julia Marie Moore, 42, who suffered multiple stab wounds.
A 5-year-old child was also found inside the home and is now in the custody of family members, KNWA reported.
The Arkansas State Police are investigating the attack as an officer-involved shooting, KHBS reported.
Please check back for updates to this developing story.