US officer on leave after 107-year-old killed

Bs_logoImage
AP Little Rock (US)
Last Updated : Sep 11 2013 | 12:55 AM IST
A police officer involved in a weekend standoff that left a 107-year-old man dead has been placed on paid leave, authorities said today.
Police Sgt David DeFoor said the officer was placed on administrative leave immediately after he shot at Monroe Isadore, who opened fire on authorities.
"That is department policy when there's an officer-involved shooting that they're put on admin leave until the investigation is completed," DeFoor said.
Police would not identify the officer, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing. DeFoor said he believed the officer placed on leave was the only one who fired at Isadore.
Authorities have said they tried using a camera, negotiating tactics, and gas before shooting Isadore. But that hasn't answered questions from residents in Pine Bluff, a community of about 50,000 people some 72 kilometers southeast of Little Rock. Some are struggling to make sense of how someone known as a pleasant, churchgoing man who was hard of hearing and sometimes used a cane could die in such an explosive confrontation.
The fatal shooting happened Saturday after police said they were called to a domestic disturbance at the house where Isadore was staying.
Laurie Barlow, 48, of Lonoke, told officers she had gone to the house where Isadore was living temporarily to help him move to a new home, according to a police report. She said Isadore had previously been excited about the move but that when she arrived Isadore barricaded himself in a room.
"Ms Barlow stated his granddaughter finally got him to open the door and she went around to speak with Mr Isadore, at that time she stated Mr Isadore raised his arm and pointed a gun at her and stated 'You better stop breaking in to my house,'" the report said.
After police moved Barlow and the granddaughter across the street, Isadore fired at a door moments after police tried to contact him. A police commando team, called out when negotiations failed, manoeuvred a camera into the house to see how Isadore was armed, then stormed inside after deploying gas and a distraction device, the report said. When Isadore fired, the entry team fired back.
It's not clear why authorities moved into the home when they did.
"I don't know what was going at the scene that would make them go ahead and go in," DeFoor said. "When shots are fired, it changes the whole idea of let's sit out here and wait."
Prosecutors are expected to review the case as early as this week.
Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online

  • Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Sep 11 2013 | 12:55 AM IST