Arkansas – An Arkansas State Police SWAT team rescued a 16-year-old girl who was being held hostage by an armed suspect during a standoff in Crossett on October 30.
The incident began around 2:15 a.m. when Crossett Police Department officers responded to the 400 block of North Louisiana Street following a report that Joe Washington Jr., 56, was armed and holding the teenager against her will.
According to investigators, the girl’s mother told authorities that Washington had restrained her, forced her into a vehicle and assaulted her over several hours before placing her in the trunk. She reportedly managed to escape by forcing the trunk open and jumping out of the moving vehicle. Investigators said she had visible injuries.
When officers arrived at the residence, they established a perimeter and attempted to negotiate with Washington. However, he threatened to shoot officers if they did not move away.
Crossett police requested assistance from the Arkansas State Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, which took control of the scene and entered the apartment.
Troopers located the 16-year-old girl and safely escorted her out of the residence. She was not reported to have life-threatening injuries.
Washington was found inside the home with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was critically injured and airlifted to a hospital in Little Rock, where he later died.
“Our SWAT team has answered the call more than 210 times in the last year alone in support of our local law enforcement partners,” Arkansas State Police Colonel Mike Hagar said.
Hagar noted that before the agency established a full-time SWAT team several years ago, it handled an average of approximately 10 activations annually.
The expanded team has allowed state police to provide more assistance to local law enforcement agencies requiring specialized personnel and equipment.
“I’m so proud of our Troopers for bringing this brave girl to safety,” Hagar said.
Washington’s body was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, where officials will determine the official cause and manner of death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said no additional information is being released at this time.