18-year-old to have bond hearing in connection to Newport officer's murder

NEWPORT, Ark. (KATV) — UPDATE (6/13 7:20 p.m.):

Arkansas State Police say an 18-year-old is expected in Jackson County District Court on Wednesday. However, no formal criminal charges have been filed yet in connection with the fatal shooting of a Newport police officer.

State Police say Tyler Jermiale Calamese is set to have a bond hearing at 9 a.m.

Calamese will be before the court in the ongoing criminal investigation related to the Weatherford homicide.

UPDATE (6/13 1:15 p.m.):

In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, police gave more information about what led up the fatal shooting of a police officer Monday night.

According to Arkansas State Police, Lt. Patrick Weatherford responded to a call of a vehicle break-in at approximately 6 p.m. near the area of Bowen Street and Newport Avenue. When Lt. Weatherford arrived at the scene, he saw an individual fleeing the area.

Lt. Weatherford and other Newport officers chased the suspect on foot, entering a residential area. Police say the suspect then turned and fired a gun at police.

Lt. Weatherford was wounded and taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

Police confirm an 18-year-old turned himself in to Newport police and is being held in connection with the murder of Lt. Weatherford. The 18-year-old is still being questioned and is being held without criminal charges at this time. Police are not yet releasing the name of the 18-year-old. They say there could be other individuals who could be questioned.

Channel 7 News witnessed a dive team searching Newport Lake, reportedly for a gun used in the shooting. Authorities did not comment on the search at the news conference.

Newport Police Chief Michael Scudder says Lt. Weatherford had been with the department for 15 years and was an "excellent officer." Lt. Weatherford was a husband and father.

"We didn't just lose a police officer, we lost a good friend," Scudder said.

Newport Mayor David Stewart said an account has been set up for the family at Merchants and Planters Bank.

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UPDATE (6/13):

Authorities tell Channel 7 they have arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of a Newport police officer.

Police say the man was taken into custody sometime overnight.

The identity of the suspect has not been released.

The Newport Police Chief tells KATV the dive team has been called out to search for the gun used in the shooting.

The investigation is still ongoing, however, officials say are not searching for any other suspects at this time.

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ORIGINAL (6/12):

Newport police confirm one of their officers has been shot and killed in the line of duty in Newport, Arkansas Monday evening.

Arkansas State Police say Lt. Patrick Weatherford, 41, of Newport was shot and later died at a Newport hospital.

He was a 15-year veteran of the department.

Authorities are now searching for a suspect in connection with the shooting, which happened in the Remmel Park area of town.

Arkansas State Police special agents have been requested to lead the investigation.

We will update with more information as it is released.