Victims identified in Phillips County double homicide, officer-involved shooting

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — According to Arkansas State Police, an investigation is underway regarding the death of three people after a double homicide and an officer-involved shooting in Phillips County.

On Tuesday afternoon, officers with the Helena-West Helena Police Department responded to a home in the 200 block of Washington Street in response to a report of a shooting.

When officers arrived, they found two women dead in the front yard.

They were later identified as 40-year-old Christine Fulmer and 28-year-old Deanna Thomas Banks, both of Helena-West Helena.

As officers approached the front door of the home, 37-year-old Raymond Lewis Williams, Jr. came out of the front door holding a rifle. When officers took cover, Williams went back into the home, where he barricaded himself. Helena-West Helena Police then requested the assistance of the Arkansas State Police SWAT Team.

Communications with Williams was unsuccessful through the evening, and after multiple attempts to communicate, tear gas was deployed into the home. Soon after, Williams appeared on the front porch with the rifle and fired at officers. State troopers then fired on Williams, who died at the scene.

The bodies of all three people will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to determine the manner and cause of death.

An investigative file will be sent to the county prosecuting attorney who will decide if the shooting was consistent with Arkansas laws regarding the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer.

Per to Arkansas State Police Policy, the state troopers who fired on Williams are presently on paid administrative leave