Arkansas jail shooting: Man charged with capital murder in corrections officer’s death

PERRYVILLE, Ark. — An Arkansas man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a corrections officer at the Perry County Jail.

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According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, investigators filed a capital murder charge Thursday against Roderick Deshawn Lewis, 37, in the death of the detention officer, 21-year-old Jeremiah Story.

In a series of news releases, Arkansas State Police said the incident occurred about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday after Perry County sheriff’s deputies detained Lewis, of North Little Rock, on drug and paraphernalia charges. Lewis was changing into jail-issued clothes during his booking when he shot Story with a pistol, the releases said. A witness then disarmed Lewis, who had the gun when he arrived at the jail, authorities said.

Crews rushed Story, of Oppelo, to a Conway hospital, where he died early Thursday, according to the news releases.

Lewis is being held at the Faulkner County Jail, police said.

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said in a statement Thursday evening that Story “served our state and our country honorably,” according to KTHV.

“My heart aches for Jeremiah’s family and friends, as well as the entire Perry County Sheriff’s Office,” the statement read. “Every day, our men and women in blue put on their badge with a desire to pursue justice, no matter the cost. Arkansas is blessed to have dedicated officers who always answer the call to serve their community. Join me in praying for the family and friends of Detention Officer Story, the Perry County Sheriff’s Office and the entire law enforcement community.”

Arkansas State Police are leading the ongoing shooting investigation, the agency said.

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