Arkansas – The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division is investigating an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a 54-year-old Jonesboro man following a high-speed pursuit that spanned multiple counties.
The fatal incident occurred around 9:40 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025, after the suspect, identified as Joe Versie, led law enforcement on a chase from Poinsett County to Crittenden County.
The pursuit began when Poinsett County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop Versie for reckless driving. When he refused to pull over, officers from Harrisburg Police joined the chase before ASP was called in for assistance.
The pursuit ended on Interstate 555 near the 3-mile marker after an ASP Trooper performed a tactical vehicle intervention, causing Versie’s Kia Sedona to come to a stop in the median, where it caught fire.
As officers worked to put out the flames, Versie refused to exit the vehicle and moved toward the rear doors, ignoring repeated commands.
He told officers that he had a weapon, and when he reached for it, officers from ASP, PCSO, and HPD fired their weapons, striking him. Versie was pronounced dead at the scene.
No officers were injured in the incident. His body was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
The results of the investigation will be submitted to the Crittenden County Prosecutor’s Office, which will decide whether the use of deadly force was legally justified.