Prosecuting attorney: Fort Smith police officers’ use of deadly force justified in May shooting

FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The prosecuting attorney for Arkansas’ Twelfth Judicial District has ruled that an officer-involved shooting from earlier this year was justified. 3 letter addressed to Arkansas State Police (ASP) and Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker, Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Shue wrote that the four police officers who discharged their weapons in the shooting of Joshua Keller on May 17 were justified. The letter cites a review of police reports, witness statements, scene photographs, and body and dash camera footage of the shooting, which were taken into account when evaluating use of force. “It is the opinion of this office that the involvement of the four Fort Smith Police Department officers who discharged their weapons was justified under the laws of the State of Arkansas,” Shue wrote. Keller was shot and killed by police after he shot an officer during a field sobriety test . When Officer Newman tried to detain him, Keller pulled out a gun and shot him in the neck.

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