Criminal Mischief warrant led to officer-involved shooting (Updates previous)

By Dale Gathright, Jr., 04/15/24 12:01 PM

COLUMBUS – Last Thursday April 11th, Hempstead County Deputies notified Howard County that they were going to be just inside Howard County to locate and serve a felony warrant for Criminal Mischief in the First Degree. The Felony warrant was obtained as a result of the investigation into damage to headstones at the Columbus Cemetery reported the week before.

Two Hempstead County Deputies went to a residence located in the 2900 block of Highway 73 West in Columbus, just over the county line in Howard County.

Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton said, “Deputies knocked on the door and announced themselves, a male subject answered the door, and deputies asked him if he was Randy May. The man replied yes, and he was advised that they had a warrant for his arrest, to turn around and place his hands behind his back. May told the deputies he was not going to do that, turned and went back inside and picked up a machete and (allegedly) raised it at the deputies.”

Sheriff Singleton said his Deputies retreated into the front yard of the residence with May allegedly chasing after one of the deputies. After repeated commands by the deputy to stop and drop the machete, May allegedly refused and continued toward the deputy. The deputy fired his weapon and struck May, aged 65, who succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) was called to investigate the shooting.

The Deputy has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the investigation.

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

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On April 5th, Hempstead County Deputies were notified regarding vandalism at the Columbus Cemetery. 20 headstones were knocked over and some 17 monuments were broken, with estimates to repair and replace the heavily damaged monuments near $50,000. There was also damage to the grounds as a pick-up discovered at the cemetery left deep ruts and was stuck near the cemetery gazebo. Investigators have determined the owner of the vehicle and obtained a warrant for May, who was allegedly believed to be responsible for the damage.

Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office images