The use of deadly force by three Pine Bluff police officers in a November 2025 shooting has been ruled legally justified following an independent investigation by the Arkansas State Police.
Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney S. Kyle Hunter announced Tuesday that Officers Corey Lowery, J.L. Williams and Derek Johnson were justified under Arkansas law in their use of deadly physical force during the Nov. 21, 2025, incident.
Pine Bluff Police Chief Shawn Davis spoke with Deltaplex News about the decision.
According to the release, Pine Bluff Police Department officers responded around 10:23 p.m. to a report of shots fired near 32nd Avenue and Plum Street. Officers located multiple spent shell casings and magazines at the scene while searching for additional evidence and possible victims.
During the investigation, a blue SUV entered the secured crime scene perimeter and ignored commands to stop. An officer observed a firearm in the lap of a backseat passenger, later identified as Jeremy Lawrence, and heard him yell “Go” as the vehicle fled, nearly striking an officer.
Police initiated a pursuit with lights and sirens. Authorities say the SUV ran two stop signs and exceeded 50 mph in a 35 mph zone before slowing on 27th Avenue.
Lawrence exited the vehicle while it was still slowing down. He was wearing a black mask and blue latex gloves and was carrying what was described as a Draco-style pistol. Officers reported that Lawrence briefly pointed the firearm at them before fleeing on foot between nearby residences. He ignored commands to drop the weapon.
Officers pursued Lawrence through yards, across 27th Avenue and into a wooded area between 27th and 28th avenues.
According to investigators, Lawrence stopped in the wooded area, turned toward officers and raised his hands from his waist in a manner officers believed indicated he was about to fire. Officers discharged their weapons until Lawrence indicated he was surrendering.
Officers approached, secured Lawrence in handcuffs and immediately began administering medical aid, including applying tourniquets. He was transported by EASI ambulance to Jefferson Regional Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
At the request of the Pine Bluff Police Department, the Arkansas State Police conducted an independent investigation. Investigators retraced Lawrence’s path, recovered his cellphone and spent shell casings from officers’ firearms, and located the Draco-style pistol in a fenced backyard behind a residence on 27th Avenue.
Hunter’s review was conducted pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated § 5-2-610(b), which governs when law enforcement officers are justified in using deadly physical force.
Under Arkansas law, an officer is justified in using deadly force if the officer reasonably believes it is necessary to make an arrest or prevent the escape of a person reasonably believed to have committed a felony and who is presently armed or dangerous, or to defend against the imminent use of deadly force.
Based on the totality of the circumstances — including reports of gunfire, Lawrence’s possession and display of a firearm, his flight from officers and his actions in the wooded area — Hunter determined the officers reasonably believed Lawrence was armed and dangerous and that deadly force was necessary to effect his arrest and protect themselves from what they perceived as an imminent threat.
Accordingly, the prosecutor concluded the officers’ actions were legally justified under Arkansas law.
