Henry Boyce, prosecuting attorney for the Third Judicial District, released a statement today that the April 23rd shooting of Elijah Waltman by Walnut Ridge police officers was “justified” and no criminal charges are warranted.
At 2:07 am on April 23, 2014, Lawrence County Dispatch received a 911 call from a female on Hwy. 34 in Walnut Ridge. The woman said that her ex husband , Waltman, was following her in a vehicle and trying to run her off the road. The female went on to tell dispatchers that the suspect shot at her.
When the Walnut Ridge officer arrived first at the scene, the male suspect was firing the gun on the female in the other vehicle and then began brandishing the firearm at the officer. The officer returned fire towards the male with the gun. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies arrived during the incident .
The female victim was transported to the local hospital to be treated for her injuries.
Waltman , the male suspect, was pronounced dead at the scene.