HOPE, Ark. - A Hempstead County sheriff's deputy has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the March 14 shooting of a suspect on Interstate 30.
Deputy Jim Bush acted "reasonably and necessarily" in his use of force, according to a letter from 8th North Prosecuting Attorney Christi McQueen.
Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton received McQueen's letter releasing her findings after an Arkansas State Police investigation.
At 5:23 a.m. March 14, dispatch was advised of an active pursuit traveling from Miller County at 90 miles per hour with its headlights off. The pursuing agency, Bowie County Sheriff's Office, discontinued the pursuit at the 21-mile marker in Hempstead County, according to a news release.
Bush continued pursuit and found the vehicle stopped on the shoulder of I-30 near the Nevada County line.
Bush saw a man, identified as Chase Ray Alford, 36, of Henderson, Texas, leave the vehicle reportedly holding a machete-type knife.
Bush allegedly ordered him to drop the machete numerous times, which he failed to do. Alford also allegedly produced a pocket knife.
Alford was ordered by deputies to drop the weapons. He refused and allegedly walked toward Deputy Manuel Rodriguez, who had arrived for backup.
Bush fired at the suspect and struck him in the chest area. Officers began to administer aid to Alford and continued to do so, along with Hope police officers, who also rendered aid, until EMS arrived on scene.
Alford was taken to a Texarkana hospital, where he was treated for a gunshot wound. He was later taken to the Hempstead County Detention Center, where he was charged with aggravated assault.