Eric Varner and Eugene Watlington Wiki – Biography
Forrest City police have identified the officers as Lt. Eric Varner and Detective Eugene Watlington. One officer went to the hospital in Forrest City and was conscious and talking at the scene. He was treated and released. The other officer was brought to a Memphis hospital. Police Chief Deon Lee says that officer is in surgery and expected to be OK.
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Eric Varner and Eugene Watlington Age
Both officer age is unknown.
Two officers shot, suspect killed in shooting at Arkansas Walmart
Two officers were shot and a suspect was killed in a shooting Monday morning at a Walmart in Forrest City, Arkansas, reports CBS affiliate WREG. Law enforcement tells the station two police officers were called to the store in Forrest City, about 85 miles east of Little Rock, after the suspect began making threats.
The station reports, The suspect reportedly said he was going to blow up the Walmart. The officers approached the suspect, and that’s when shots were fired.
NOW: We just arrived to the Walmart in Forrest City. Chaotic out here as several officers blocked this area off and people trying to figure out what’s going on. Police say two officers were shot and the suspect is dead. @3onyourside pic.twitter.com/6F7B6DdV9u
— Joneé Lewis FOX 13 (@JoneeLewisTV) February 10, 2020
The shooting occurred on the grocery side of the store. No civilians were injured in the incident.
Arkansas State Police is leading the investigation. Forrest City police say ASP will release more information about the shooting around 4 p.m. in a news release.
Suspect Killed in Shooting at Arkansas Walmart
The suspect, whose name has not been released, died at the store on Deaderick Road.
According to WREG, The suspect died and the two officers were both reportedly struck by gunfire. One was airlifted to a medical center while the other is still on the scene.
Authorities are working to secure the scene, police said.
“I’m scared,” said Kim Bery, an employee who answered the phone at an autoparts store across the street from the Walmart, according to the Associated Press.
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Bery said she could see a lot of police presence at the Walmart and that Walmart employees appeared to have been evacuated into the parking lot.
Investigation Report
The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division has been called in to investigate, a state police spokesman told CBS News. The ATF was also responding.
A Walmart spokesman told CBS News: “We are aware of the incident that took place at our store in Forrest City, AR this morning. We will continue to work with the Forrest City Police Department to assist in their investigation.”
The other officer was brought to a Memphis hospital. Police Chief Deon Lee says that officer is in surgery and expected to be OK.
Forrest City Fire Department is asking the community to avoid Deaderick Road until further notice as it is closed for the investigation.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the officers injured in the Forrest City shooting. Senseless acts like these demonstrate the dangers our law enforcement officers face everyday to keep us safe.
https://t.co/8cRKI34kqN— Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin (@LtGovTimGriffin) February 10, 2020