Arkansas – Kevin Holmes, the Twenty-First Judicial Prosecuting Attorney, has determined that the use of deadly force by Arkansas State Police (ASP) troopers in the fatal May shooting of 27-year-old Austin Byrd was legally justified.
The incident occurred early morning on May 16, 2025, after ASP received reports of a reckless driver near the 7-mile marker on eastbound Interstate 40 near Van Buren. The vehicle was suspected to be linked to a recent domestic disturbance and aggravated robbery in Fort Smith.
Byrd stopped at the Hilltop Travel Center in Alma, where he entered the store. Troopers and Crawford County deputies responded, and a confrontation ensued. Byrd produced a handgun and fled the scene.
Officers pursued him, repeatedly ordering him to drop the weapon. Byrd turned to face law enforcement while still armed and did not comply. In response, troopers fired, fatally striking Byrd.
No officers were injured. Following an investigation by ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division, Prosecuting Attorney Holmes reviewed the case and concluded in a June 9 letter that the troopers’ actions were consistent with Arkansas law.