Arkansas Officers Cleared In Courthouse Shooting
-
Image by KTTS File Photo
(AP) - Prosecutors say police officers were justified when they fatally wounded a man who went on a shooting rampage at a western Arkansas courthouse.
A Crawford County court employee was shot in the leg and a Van Buren police officer was hit by bullet fragments when James Ray Palmer opened fire Sept. 13. Palmer died in a shootout with officers on the courthouse lawn.
According to the Northwest Arkansas Times, a report released by prosecutor Mark McCune showed courthouse employees pushed panic button alarms, called 911 and yelled warnings to co-workers. They also recounted where they hid, and said they heard screams and gunfire.
Now, only one door is left unlocked during the day at the courthouse, and that one has a walk-through metal detector and sheriff's deputies posted there.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.