HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. — A police officer in eastern Arkansas has been fatally shot by a man suspected in an earlier shooting, authorities said.

Helena-West Helena officers stopped an SUV on Thursday night when Latarius Howard, 29, got out and opened fire, striking one officer who later died at a hospital, according to Police Chief James Smith. U.S. Marshals arrested Howard and 24-year-old Bruce Hillie Friday morning in Mississippi, according to news station WMC-5.

Arkansas State Police is leading the investigation. ASP identified the Helena-West Helena police officer Friday as 41-year-old Travis Wallace.

Smith said a second officer at the scene was not injured as Howard fled in the vehicle from the city about 100 miles (161 kilometers) east of Little Rock.

It was not clear whether the officers returned fire and police did not immediately return a phone call for comment Friday.

Howard was sought in connection with a Nov. 1 assault and shooting that wounded a man in Helena-West Helena.

About the Author

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com