State Police investigating officer-involved shooting fatality near Columbus

COLUMBUS — Special Agents with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) are investigating the shooting death of a Hempstead County man by a Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputy.

On Thursday, April 11th at approximately 8:52 pm, the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 2900 block of Highway 73 residence near the Columbus community of Hempstead County to serve a felony arrest warrant. Deputies contacted the subject of the warrant, identified as Randy May, 65, at the front door of his residence. According to a witness, May was armed with a machete and allegedly charged deputies. A deputy fired his service weapon, striking May. May succumbed to his injuries on the scene.

ASP CID agents will prepare an investigative file to be submitted to the Hempstead County Prosecuting Attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force by the sheriff’s deputy was consistent with Arkansas laws.