Investigation underway after fleeing suspect killed

A motorist who lead police on a
vehicle chase across two counties
in Eastern Arkansas was shot and
killed after State Police initiated a
tactical vehicle intervention to stop
the suspect’s car.
The officer-involved shooting
fatality occurred Thursday night in
Crittenden County and is being
investigated by the Arkansas State
Police Criminal Investigation
Division.
The incident occurred about
9:40 p.m., near the three mile
marker on Interstate 555 in
Crittenden County, which is
located in ASP Troop D,
headquartered in Forrest City.
According to the ASP press
release, Joe Versie, 54, of Jonesboro,
was killed after leading law
enforcement officers on a high
speed pursuit from Poinsett into
Crittenden County.
Versie initially fled from
deputies with the Poinsett County
Sheriff’s Department who had
attempted to stop his vehicle for
reckless driving. Officers with the
Harrisburg Police Department
joined the pursuit before ASP
assistance was requested. The
pursuit ended when an ASP trooper employed a tactical vehicle
intervention on I-555.
Versie’s vehicle, a Kia Sedona,
came to rest in the median and
became engulfed in flames,
according to the report. As officers
worked to extinguish the flames,
Versie reportedly remained in the
vehicle, ignored commands from
officers and moved toward the rear
doors.
Officials said in the press
release that Versie told officers he
had a weapon.
When he allegedly reached for
the weapon, an ASP Trooper, PCSO
and HPD officers discharged their
service weapons, striking Versie,
who was pronounced dead at the
scene, according to the report.
No police officers were
reportedly injured in the incident.
Versie’s body was transported to
the Arkansas Crime Lab where the
manner and cause of death will be
confirmed, ASP officials said in the
press release.
An investigative file will be
presented to the Crittenden
County Prosecutor’s Office who
will determine whether the use of
deadly force was consistent with
Arkansas law.