Arkansas State News by Ken Fulton, Crime and Justice Bureau Chief
An Arkansas State Trooper was fired upon by a speeding driver on Interstate 40 in the week’s second shooting during an attempted traffic stop.
Trooper Tyler Langley attempted to pull over a speeding vehicle near Conway, Arkansas, but the vehicle refused to comply and instead fled the area by exiting the highway. The driver abandoned the vehicle following a brief chase. The suspect was armed with a rifle and, while continuing to flee on foot, he and Langley exchanged fire.
Arkansas State Troopers soon arrested the suspect and transported him to a local hospital. Fortunately, neither the troopers nor the suspect were wounded in the incident.
Authorities are holding the suspect at the Faulkner County Detention Center for questioning. His identity will not be released until he is formally charged.
This incident comes following a similar incident earlier in the week where another suspect fired on a trooper after refusing to comply with a traffic stop. Stevie Maxwell, 37, of Greenville, Mississippi was speeding down Interstate 40 when an Arkansas State Police Corporal Steve Roberts attempted to pull him over. Maxwell refused and a chase ensued, during which Maxwell allegedly fired on Roberts.
Maxwell eventually surrendered to Roberts upon exiting the interstate. While the authorities continue to question the suspect in the latter incident, Maxwell has been charged with aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and speeding.
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