1 police officer dead, 1 injured in shooting at Pine Bluff motel
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — A Pine Bluff police officer was killed and a second officer was injured in a shooting at a motel Monday.
It happened at an Econo Lodge on North Blake Street around noon. Both officers were taken to a nearby hospital. The police department said later Monday that one of the officers, identified as officer Kevin Collins, had died.
Pine Bluff Police Chief Kelvin Sergeant said Collins,35, was a 5-year veteran of the department. Collins was a detective assigned to the violent crimes unit.
"We're hurting," Sergeant said. "We have lost a family member today."
Lt. Ralph Isaac,42, a 20-year veteran of the department assigned to the violent crimes unit, was named as the second officer who was shot. He was said to be in stable condition. A third officer involved in the shooting was not injured.
Sergeant said the three officers were part of an ongoing investigation involving the motel. He did not elaborate. Sergeant said the officers encountered a possible suspect and exchanged gunfire with the suspect.
Two people who are believed to be involved in the shooting sustained non-life-threatening wounds, according to the authorities. Both were taken to a local hospital for treatment and released to state police for questioning.
Multiple people have been taken into custody.
Arkansas State Police are leading an investigation of the shooting.
The officer-involved shooting comes just over a month after Pine Bluff's mayor fired and then reinstated Sergeant over public safety concerns. A spokesperson for the city said in August that officials were working to improve public safety and protect residents.
