State police investigate Jacksonville man killed in officer-involved shooting

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division is investigating an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Willie Joe Larry-Purdiman, 23, of Jacksonville.

The incident occurred Monday at approximately 3 p.m. in the 7900 block of Baseline Road in Little Rock.

Officers with a U.S. Marshals Service Eastern Arkansas task force attempted to arrest Larry-Purdiman for multiple outstanding warrants. He had recently failed to appear for a sentencing hearing for several violent felony charges out of Pulaski County. USMS tracked Larry-Purdiman to the Baseline Road Walmart.

As task force officers attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle occupied by Larry-Purdiman and another person near the south Walmart entrance, he exited the front seat passenger side and fled on foot across the intersection into a gas station parking lot, authorities said.

Armed with a fully automatic handgun, Larry-Purdiman reportedly opened fire on officers as he fled across the parking lot. Officers returned fire.

During the pursuit, an officer’s vehicle struck a fuel pump, causing it to become fully engulfed in flames.

The suspect succumbed to injuries behind a business across Baseline Road and was pronounced dead after paramedics administered lifesaving measures.

No civilians were injured during the incident. No law enforcement officers were hurt by gunfire but one officer was injured during the pursuit.

The officer was transported to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

ASP CID special agents will prepare an investigative file to be submitted to the Pulaski County prosecuting attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force by law enforcement was consistent with state laws.

***

Governor requests federal disaster declaration for tornado damage

LITTLE ROCK — The tornadoes and storms that hammered the state earlier this month caused millions of dollars of damage, with state officials and members of the state’s congressional delegation working to get a federal disaster declaration for the state.

Over the weekend, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders requested the major disaster declaration

See STATE, page A3 STATE

From page A2

from President Donald Trump for the March 14-15 storms.

The governor is requesting individual assistance and U.S.

Small Business Administration loans for people in Greene, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp and Stone counties, as well as hazard mitigation statewide.

In making the announcement, Sanders said she believes the declaration will help people impacted by the severe storms.

“The destruction caused by these tornadoes is devastating. The Arkansans who lost their homes, businesses and loved ones in this storm need help to get back on their feet and rebuild. We are thankful for the leadership of President Trump and I’m submitting this Major Disaster Declaration request and hope we can get additional assistance from the federal government.”

In the 12-page request, officials noted that the dangerous impact of the storms.

At least 10 of the tornadoes were rated EF-2 or higher as of March 17, while six of the tornadoes had paths of 18 miles or longer. Officials said three of the tornadoes tracked 32, 45 and 81 miles (the one that struck Cushman and Cave City, which was on the ground for an hour and 35 minutes).

Officials also noted that the tornado outbreak was the second largest in the state since April 2011, while the number of EF-3+ tornadoes was the highest seen since Jan. 1999.

In addition to the tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds were also reported with hail as large as baseball-sized, pounding the state.

The National Weather Service also reported 59 mph winds earlier in the day at the Jonesboro Municipal Airport, according to the request.

Officials also said in the request that nearly 450 homes around the state received some sort of damage, including 156 that were destroyed, 93 with major damage and 89 with minor damage.

The request also noted several area businesses and farms were either destroyed or received damage, with Cave City residents seeing the loss of several businesses.

“Also, in Cave City, the town’s only funeral home, health clinic, pharmacy and auto parts store were badly damaged or completely destroyed. A multi-unit storage facility was also completely leveled, leaving many residents to comb through the rubble to try to reclaim the remnants of their lives,” the request noted. “The loss of these critical businesses was a devastating blow to this community and will be felt for years to come.”

The town also lost a major cell tower in the middle of the city, leading to impact on communications.

To the east, Campbell Station also lost its fire station to the storms while the Jacksonport Volunteer Fire Department also had damage to their firehouse.

“Because of this (Campbell Station), firefighters will now have to be deployed from the town of Tuckerman, which will delay responses by at least 8 miles. This will cost critical time and potential loss of life that could have been saved during any emergency response situation,” officials said. “Jacksonport Volunteer Fire Department also sustained damage to their firehouse and a few of their fire apparatuses, which will cause delayed response times to the Jacksonport community.”

Officials estimate that the state’s current public assistance categories, for help, has exceeded $11.6 million, with debris totals estimated at around $3.7 million. Also, Electric Cooperatives around

See STATE, page A6 STATE

From page A3

the state estimated more than $8.6 million in damages as well.

The state’s congressional delegation also sent a letter in support of the declaration.

The letter was signed by Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Reps. Rick Crawford (RJonesboro), French Hill (RLittle Rock), Steve Womack (R-Rogers) and Bruce Westerman (R-Hot Springs).

Boozman said the delegation will work to support the declaration, as well as residents in the state.

“The Arkansas Congressional Delegation supports Gov.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request for a major disaster declaration as a result of the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred earlier this month. We are eager to ensure expedited evaluation to assist impacted Arkansans,” Boozman said.