The officer involved shooting death of a Texas man in the Lone Rock area of Baxter County last month has been deemed “appropriate and necessary.” The decision by 14th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge on the actions of Baxter County Sheriff’s Deputy Craig Gates follows an Arkansas State Police investigation.
In his just released ruling, Ethredge says, in a letter to Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, he reviewed the report and the information compiled by the Arkansas State Police in reaching his decision. In addition, he reviewed video evidence and the report by the Arkansas State Deputy Chief Medical Director, Steven Erickson.
Ethredge told KTLO, Classic Hits 101.7 and The Boot news the work of the Arkansas State Police was a “top-notch investigation” and assisted him greatly in making his decision.
The suspect in the theft of a tractor, 50-year-old Michael Lavelee Holliman, was shot and killed by Gates following a confrontation involving a crossbow.
When Gates stopped the reported stolen tractor, Holliman confronted the deputy with a crossbow. A physical struggle ensued, and the deputy shot him. The suspect was killed and the deputy sustained a minor injury.
Sheriff Montgomery said at the time of the altercation it was later confirmed the tractor Holliman was operating was the one reported stolen earlier. It was also determined there was an outstanding felony bench warrant for Holliman’s arrest for possession of firearms by certain persons or a convicted felon.
Holliman was found to have an extensive past arrest history in Missouri, California, Iowa, and Texas, including convictions for armed robbery, grand theft, and assault.
The incident began when, according to Montgomery, Deputy Gates was dispatched to the Lone Rock Store at 7755 Push Mountain Road to take a theft report. After arriving at the store, Gates was told a tractor, matching the description of one reported stolen in the same area passed by the store and was headed west on Baxter County Road 72, adjacent to the store.
Gates followed the tractor a short distance and was able to make contact with the suspect. Two minutes later, the deputy advised by radio shots had been fired and a man was down.
Gates has been with the department since July 2015. He had previously worked for another law enforcement agency in Arkansas since 2014 before moving to Baxter County.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI