Private Citizen Using Deadly Force Stirs Up Buzz in Little Rock
By: Jonathan Athens, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 14, 2012
Arkansas law is clear when it comes to using deadly force: You can defend your life and the lives of others.
That law Section 5-2-607 applies to the same to police officers and private citizens if they find themselves facing what could be a deadly confrontation.
The circumstances people sometimes find themselves in might not be so clear.
In the course of trying to stop a suspected robber who had just shot a man in the leg outside a bank in west Little Rock, police records show a 50-year-old man admitted to firing one shot at the robber's getaway car. That man missed and hit another person's vehicle.
Police confirmed the man who shot at the getaway car has a valid license to carry a concealed handgun. Under state law, a person has to successfully complete a background check and pass a certified program before they can get a license to carry a concealed gun.
"He was in the right. He was trying to protect and defend others, to include himself," said Raymond Beuscher, a concealed carry instructor.
Some think otherwise.
"(Private citizens) should not do that, leave that up to the police," said Earl Jones.
Lisa Bryant, a Little Rock Mom, said: "People can't take matters into their own hands, you know, we can't execute justice."
The case, however, is not open and shut says Felicia Epps, Associate Dean at the UALR School of Law.
"That might be looked at as being reckless," Epps said. "In this instance when someone is leaving the scene and the event is over, that's really a matter for law enforcement."
Police said they will turn the results over their investigation over the Pulaski County prosecutors for review.
The man who shot at the getaway car could not be reached for comment.
That law Section 5-2-607 applies to the same to police officers and private citizens if they find themselves facing what could be a deadly confrontation.
The circumstances people sometimes find themselves in might not be so clear.
In the course of trying to stop a suspected robber who had just shot a man in the leg outside a bank in west Little Rock, police records show a 50-year-old man admitted to firing one shot at the robber's getaway car. That man missed and hit another person's vehicle.
Police confirmed the man who shot at the getaway car has a valid license to carry a concealed handgun. Under state law, a person has to successfully complete a background check and pass a certified program before they can get a license to carry a concealed gun.
"He was in the right. He was trying to protect and defend others, to include himself," said Raymond Beuscher, a concealed carry instructor.
Some think otherwise.
"(Private citizens) should not do that, leave that up to the police," said Earl Jones.
Lisa Bryant, a Little Rock Mom, said: "People can't take matters into their own hands, you know, we can't execute justice."
The case, however, is not open and shut says Felicia Epps, Associate Dean at the UALR School of Law.
"That might be looked at as being reckless," Epps said. "In this instance when someone is leaving the scene and the event is over, that's really a matter for law enforcement."
Police said they will turn the results over their investigation over the Pulaski County prosecutors for review.
The man who shot at the getaway car could not be reached for comment.
