Crime & Safety
Arkansas Police Shooting: Prosecutor Rules Deadly Force Justified
Fort Smith, AR – Four Fort Smith police officers were justified under Arkansas law when&n…
By Country Herald Consumer Safety Desk · 2026-09-10T18:07:06.913Z
Fort Smith, AR – Four Fort Smith police officers were justified under Arkansas law when they used deadly force in a May shooting that left a 27 year old man dead, a prosecutor has determined.
According to the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, 12th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Shue reviewed the May 17 officer involved shooting of Joshua Keller following an investigation by the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division.
Shue informed state police and Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker in a Sept. 3 letter that the officers& 39; actions were justified.
Authorities said the incident began when Fort Smith officers contacted Keller during an investigation near the McClure Amphitheater. Keller allegedly shot Officer Kyle Newman in the neck before fleeing, according to the state.
A pursuit followed and ended near the Grand Avenue overpass, where authorities said officers and Keller exchanged gunfire. Investigators determined that all four Fort Smith officers involved discharged their weapons during the confrontation.
Shue concluded that the officers& 39; use of deadly force was reasonable given what he described as an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death to officers and other people.
The prosecutor also pointed to the potential danger posed during the pursuit, including to motorists traveling on Interstate 540.
Keller died in the officer involved shooting.
Newman survived the gunshot wound and has since returned to work with the Fort Smith Police Department, according to state officials. He was awarded the department& 39;s Medal of Valor and Purple Heart.
The Arkansas State Police investigation was conducted at the request of the Fort Smith Police Department.