Arkansas police arrest deputy for killing man during traffic stop

A former police deputy has been arrested for allegedly killing a man more than three months after the murder in Arkansas.

The incident took place three months ago, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

The former deputy, named Stevon Grindstaff, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault following the December 3 incident, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said. They fired Grindstaff after checking into the matter.

The Arkansas State Police arrested him, police authorities said in a press release issued on March 11.

The shooting took place when Grindstaff tried to stop a pickup truck in northeast Washington County. The 57-year-old driver, Scottie Stacy, did not comply and tried to run away. He drove through a fence, down a dead-end road, and ended up in a field.

Grindstaff chased down the truck and stepped out of his car. But Stacy drove backwards towards him and hit his police car. At this moment, Grindstaff shot at Stacy, who died on the spot.

Later, the Arkansas State Police investigated the incident and took action against Grindstaff, firing him from his job.

Grindstaff became a deputy in 2019 after graduating from the Northwest Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy.

Now, he's in the Washington County Detention Center, but they let him out on Tuesday.

Washington County is around 185 miles away from Little Rock.