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CRIME

The Latest: Teenager being held in Arkansas officer death

Associated Press
Published | Updated

NEWPORT, Ark. – The Latest on the fatal shooting of a police officer in northeast Arkansas (all times local):

1:40 p.m.

Arkansas State Police say an 18-year-old suspect is being held in connection with the fatal shooting of a decorated police officer.

State police spokesman Bill Sadler says charges have not yet been filed against the suspect, who is being held in Monday's killing of 41-year-old Newport Police Lt. Patrick Weatherford.

Sadler says few details will be released because the investigation is ongoing. He says other people may be questioned in the shooting but that there should be "no fear" in the community of further violence.

Sadler says Weatherford was shot Monday night while responding to a call of a vehicle break-in in Newport, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock.

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6:05 a.m.

Authorities say a suspect is being held in the fatal shooting of a police officer in northeast Arkansas.

Arkansas State Police say Lt. Patrick Weatherford died at a hospital Monday night after he was shot while responding to a call of a vehicle break-in in Newport, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock.

Newport police told Jonesboro television station KAIT that a person is in custody, and more information will be released later Tuesday morning. Police say Weatherford was assisting another officer with a traffic stop when he was shot.

Weatherford was a 15-year veteran of the Newport Police Department and was named the Jackson County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 2016.

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This version has been corrected to show that the suspect is being held, rather than arrested, and that Weatherford was responding to a vehicle break-in call, not a traffic stop.

5:45 a.m.

A police officer has been shot and killed in a small northeastern Arkansas town and a manhunt is underway for the suspect.

The shooting was reported about 7:30 p.m. Monday in Newport, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. According to an Arkansas State Police statement, 41-year-old Newport police Lt. Patrick Weatherford died shortly afterward at a hospital. State Police say Weatherford was a 15-year department veteran.

Arkansas State Police have taken the lead in the investigation. No other information is immediately available.