KEY POINTS

  • The suspect for stabbing a Highway Police officer was shot and killed by a State Trooper
  • Aloysius Keaton was wanted after stealing a taxicab and crashing it
  • The officer was stabbed when he attempted to arrest Keaton
  • The State Trooper shot Keaton after a taser proved to be "ineffective"

Police in Arkansas State said that the suspect for stabbing a Highway Police Officer has died in the hospital after being shot by a State Trooper over the weekend.

58-year-old Aloysius Keaton passed away late Saturday (June 27) at a Little Rock Hospital following a shooting incident involving an Arkansas State Trooper. According to a press release from the State Police, the incident happened around 7:08 p.m. after Keaton stabbed an Arkansas Department of Transportation officer.

The suspect was wanted for carjacking a taxicab on 7620 Baseline Road. Keaton lost control of the stolen vehicle and crashed it into another vehicle while exiting Interstate 30 onto Roosevelt Road.

police line
Representation image of a crime scene. Gerd Altmann/ Pixabay

After authorities and officers on patrol were alerted about Keaton's crime, a State Trooper located the crashed taxicab and approached Keaton. The suspect, who attempted to flee on foot, used a weapon to stab the Highway Police officer who tried to arrest him.

Still armed with the weapon, Keaton moved towards the State Trooper who in turn, used a taser in an effort to subdue the suspect. The Electronic Control Device, however, proved to be “ineffective.” This prompted the State Trooper to shoot Keaton with his handgun after the suspect refused to drop his weapon, said the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

The stabbed Highway Police Officer and Keaton were both transported to local hospitals. The officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while Keaton died at the hospital, according to MSN.

“The Arkansas State Police is investigating an officer-related shooting incident that left an officer of the Arkansas Highway Police and a suspect wounded. A state trooper, pursuant to Arkansas State Police policy and procedure, is on paid administrative leave while the investigation is underway,” said KARK, citing a statement from the press release.

State Police told ABC News that the Highway Police officer was released from the hospital, while the State Trooper who shot Keaton was injured during the incident. Both of their names were not released.

Keaton was arrested on June 3, 2016 and charged with disorderly conduct and third-degree domestic battery. He was booked at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility. He was also charged with disorderly intoxication in 2012.

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