SPRINGDALE, Ark. — The Springdale Police Department (SPD) is now claiming a man shot and killed by officers earlier this week was holding a knife to a bystander's neck.
On March 12, SPD responded to reports of an armed man allegedly damaging cars and threatening people on Norfolk Avenue in Springdale.
SPD originally said the subject, identified as 30-year-old Dimitri Calvert, was found with a knife and refused to drop it, prompting police to fire upon him.
Calvert was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
"Through the initial investigation and while reviewing video evidence and statements; it has been found that moments leading up to the shooting that Dimitri Calvert took an uninvolved male and held a knife to his throat prior to Corporal Wright discharging his firearm and striking Calvert," SPD said on March 15.
SPD identified the officer involved as Corporal Danny Wright, who has reportedly been with the department for 25 years.
Wright is still on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation into deadly force, which is being conducted by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
The Springdale Police Department said the entirety of footage from the incident will be available for release once the investigation is completed.
SPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Matt Ray said more context couldn't be given on the most recent update. When asked for clarification on low-resolution dashcam photos released in the most recent update, such as who is seen and where, Ray said he couldn't release any more details.
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Local nonprofit Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition is advocating on behalf of Calvert, who they say needed emergency mental health services during the incident.
"The community deserves investments of increased funding for mental health services, appropriate community response teams, and initiatives to reduce the stigma surrounding mental difference and health needs," the AJRC said in a statement, announcing a community event on Saturday to "demand justice for Dimitri and to advocate for systemic changes aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future."
The Washington County Sheriff's Office has not yet responded to a request for comment on the progress of the investigation.
Additionally, 5NEWS has formally requested SPD's de-escalation, use of force, and crisis intervention policies, as well as Wright's training records.
According to SPD's response to resistance policy, the use of deadly force is the last response option for officers. The policy says the use of deadly force is "objectively reasonable" when the officer or another present person is "faced with imminent threat of serious bodily or death."
"In all incidents of response to resistance, appropriate medical treatment, consistent with any injury sustained by any individual, shall be immediately provided in the form of first aid, request for emergency medical service or transport to a medical care facility," the policy says.
It is unclear whether or not Wright rendered first aid after firing at Calvert.
Additionally, the policy says, "Officers should warn the subject prior to using deadly force where feasible."
The policy encourages officers to "avoid placing themselves in a position where use of deadly force is the only alternative."
According to Wright's training certificates provided by SPD, Wright's response to resistance training certification was expired as of Feb. 27, 2024, around two weeks before the shooting happened.
We have also requested bodycam and dashcam footage related to the case, along with 911 audio, but those requests were denied, citing an ongoing investigation.
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