An internal investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting in Pine Bluff has resulted in changes to the Pine Bluff Police Department use-of-force policy.
The review followed a November 2025 police pursuit that ended with 23-year-old Jeremy Lawrence being shot and killed. Investigators said Lawrence and two others fled from officers before the vehicle stopped and Lawrence ran into a wooded area while armed with a Draco-style firearm. Three officers pursued him and opened fire.
Although prosecutors later ruled the shooting justified, an internal review identified gaps in department policy related to officers firing from moving vehicles.
Assistant Police Chief Kelven Hadley said investigators found the department lacked clear guidance for some vehicle-related use-of-force situations.
Body camera footage also showed former officer Corey Lowery firing his weapon from a moving patrol vehicle during the pursuit. Officials said the action violated unsafe conduct standards, but noted there had been no specific rule addressing that situation.
Under the updated policy, officers are now prohibited from firing at vehicles to disable them, including shooting at tires or engines. The new rules also ban warning shots and require officers to avoid firing if it creates unreasonable danger to bystanders or other officers.
The department said officers must now immediately report any firearm discharge from a patrol vehicle, and additional training on the updated policies is underway.
