Armed Suspect Dies After Officer-Involved Shooting in Miller County

ASP CID investigating incident that occurred during traffic stop on Sunday evening

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:50am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent shell casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the evidence and investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting.A police investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting exposes the grim realities of law enforcement's use of force.Texarkana Today

The Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Sunday, April 12, 2026, east of Texarkana. During a traffic stop, the suspect, Tommy Ray Sevier, refused to exit his vehicle and shots were fired by both Sevier and a Texarkana police officer. Sevier was transported to a local hospital but died from his injuries. The ASP CID is conducting the investigation and will present the case to the Miller County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Why it matters

Officer-involved shootings are a sensitive and complex issue, often sparking public scrutiny and debates around use of force policies. This incident will likely receive close attention from local authorities and the community as they work to determine if the officer's actions were justified under Arkansas law.

The details

According to the report, an ASP Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a GMC SUV driven by Tommy Ray Sevier, 46, who was the subject of an active felony warrant. Officers with the Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department (TAPD) also responded to assist. During the stop, Sevier refused multiple commands to exit the vehicle, and shots were fired by both Sevier and a TAPD officer. Sevier was transported to a local hospital but died from his injuries. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory will determine the official cause and manner of death.

  • The incident occurred on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at approximately 6:15 p.m.
  • Sevier was transported to a local hospital but died from his injuries.

The players

Arkansas State Police (ASP)

The state law enforcement agency conducting the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department (TAPD)

The local police department that assisted the ASP Trooper during the traffic stop and incident.

Tommy Ray Sevier

The 46-year-old suspect who was the subject of an active felony warrant and died after the officer-involved shooting.

Miller County Prosecuting Attorney's Office

The office that will review the ASP CID's investigation and determine if the officer's use of force was consistent with Arkansas law.

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What’s next

The ASP CID will prepare a case file for the Miller County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, which will determine whether the officer's use of force was justified under Arkansas law.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the complex and sensitive nature of officer-involved shootings, which often require thorough investigations to determine if the use of force was lawful. The outcome of this case will likely have implications for public trust in law enforcement and ongoing debates around policing policies in the local community.