Arkansas State Police are investigating the shooting death of Hot Springs police Officer 1st Class Brent Scrimshire involving an as-yet unnamed male suspect was also shot, Garland County Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Lawrence said Wednesday.
"We are assisting the state police in their investigation," Lawrence told The Sentinel-Record. "We're still reviewing evidence in the case and investigating to determine what charges will be filed."
She declined to release the name of the suspect.
At around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Scrimshire conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of Kenwood Street and during the stop, shots were fired and Scrimshire was struck, along with the suspect, Cpl. Joey Williams said in an earlier news release.
Scrimshire was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries. The medical condition of the suspect was also not being released Wednesday.
"Right now our two priorities are taking care of our employees and making sure we provide support and assistance to them during this period of mourning, and the other is to take care of Officer Scrimshire's family," Police Chief Jason Stachey told The Sentinel-Record Wednesday following a news conference at the police department.
"It's one of the worst calls you can ever get as chief of police," Assistant Police Chief Walt Everton said.
Stachey said Scrimshire will be remembered as "a devoted, professional law enforcement officer who loved his community, loved his family, and always had something nice to say. He was very optimistic and enjoyed life."
"To echo our chief, we're hurt," City Manager Bill Burrough said. "Our hearts and prayers are with the family and our other family of blue. I think events like this really make us realize just what we take for granted every day. Our officers risk their lives daily when they put that uniform on to protect us all and it's something we take for granted and this brings that home."
Earlier, Stachey, Everton and Burrough participated in a short, emotional news conference at the front of the police department, where Scrimshire's patrol unit was parked as a public memorial.
Stachey noted they set up Scrimshire's police unit in the front parking lot as "a place where the public could come and pay their respects," noting, "I think it gives people in the community a sense of closure."
Stachey said he wanted to recognize the "multitude of law enforcement agencies, local state and federal" that have helped since the shooting, including the Malvern and Rockport police departments, the Garland County Sheriff's Department, Arkansas State Police, fire departments, EMS, "all our first responders," National Park Service and Arkansas Game and Fish.
"It's harder to name an agency that hasn't reached out than to name all the ones that have. I can't think of anyone. It's been overwhelming," Everton said.
"In law enforcement and probably among all first responder agencies, when you have an event like this it seems everybody circles around you and provides you support during that difficult time," Stachey said.
Everton said officers from Fayetteville and Little Rock are "coming down to help and talk to us. Fayetteville just had their tragedy in December. They have dealt with their hurt and they're coming to help us deal with ours, officers talking to other officers."
Burrough said they have heard from agencies all across the country and Stachey noted even FBI Director Christopher Wray "called me and reached out and offered his support and condolences. The outpouring has been phenomenal."
Local on 03/12/2020