Arkansas – Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Sonia Hagood has ruled that law enforcement officers were justified in their use of deadly force during the March 20, 2025, shooting that resulted in the death of a Jonesboro man.
The incident began at approximately 9:40 p.m., when deputies from the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office attempted a traffic stop on 54-year-old Joe Versie for reckless driving.
Versie fled, leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit that spanned from Poinsett County into Crittenden County. Harrisburg Police officers soon joined the pursuit, and assistance from the Arkansas State Police was requested.
The chase ended when a state trooper performed a tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) maneuver on Interstate 555 near the three-mile marker. Versie’s vehicle came to rest in the median and caught fire. Despite officers’ efforts to extinguish the flames and multiple commands for Versie to exit the vehicle, he refused to comply.
Authorities reported that Versie told officers he had a weapon. When he reached for it, an Arkansas State Police trooper, Poinsett County deputies, and Harrisburg Police officers discharged their service weapons, striking Versie. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division conducted an investigation into the incident and submitted their findings to the Crittenden County Prosecutor’s Office. After reviewing the evidence, Prosecutor Hagood determined that the officers’ actions were consistent with Arkansas law.
In a letter to Arkansas State Police dated April 22, 2025, Hagood stated, “The officers involved were faced with a grave and imminent threat to their safety and the safety of others.
Their decision to use deadly force was both reasonable and justified in the circumstances. It is a testament to their professionalism and bravery that, despite the grave danger, no officer was injured during this highly dangerous encounter.
Officers not only acted in self-defense but also made concerted efforts to save Mr. Versie’s life, even while under threat.”
No officers were injured during the incident.