FORT SMITH - The Fort Smith Police Department has placed eight officers on administrative leave following this week’s shooting of a suspect who had felony warrants for his arrest. 19-year-old Matthew Pittman was shot outside of a Grand Avenue convenience store after officers say he rammed vehicles in their parking lot, and then tried to flee the scene.
According to spokesman Lieutenant Anthony Rice, Pittman has been treated and released from a local Hospital and was taken to the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center; where he was charged with Terroristic Act and three counts of Aggravated Assault.
A total of eight Police Officers were placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal
investigation. Field Training Officer Jeff Lum, Officer in Training Thomas Brashier and an
unidentified undercover officer were the three officers involved in the shooting of Pittman.
Sergeant Wayne Barnett, Officer Steven Creek, Officer in Training Chelsey Garrett, Officer
Dylan Harris and another undercover officer were witnesses to the shooting and are all on
administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Police Department says officers shot Pittman as a means to stop him as he attempted to run over other officers on the scene and a potential witness in the case.
Hopefully the department will back them, and not crucify them all!
What was the felony warrant for, he has a gun in his waistband, did he point it show it or threaten to use it?