WASHINGTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — An affidavit has been filed after the arrest of former Washington County Sheriff's Office Deputy Stevon Grindstaff with new details refuting WCSO's original claim of what happened preceding the deadly shooting.
Grindstaff was arrested by Arkansas State Police (ASP) on murder and assault charges after a man died during a traffic pursuit on March 11.
WCSO reported that on the evening of Dec. 3, 2023, Grindstaff tried to pull over a truck driven by Scottie Stacy near Blue Springs Road in Fayetteville, but Stacy reportedly did not stop.
In the ensuing chase, WCSO said Stacy drove through a barbed wire fence into a field before stopping.
WSCO initially said in a statement released on Dec. 7 that when Grindstaff stepped out of his patrol car, Stacy reportedly "rapidly accelerated in reverse toward the deputy" before hitting the patrol car which is when Grindstaff shot and killed him.
However, according to the arrest affidavit filed on March 12, the sheriff's office received Grindstaff's in-car and body camera footage the day after the incident on Dec. 4, refuting the fact that Stacy had driven in reverse toward Grindstaff.
The affidavit says, "Recordings show Deputy Grindstaff placing his patrol vehicle's driver-side front bumper at the passenger-side back bumper of Stacy's vehicle as the vehicles stop."
In the recording, Grindstaff is reportedly seen exiting his patrol vehicle and walking behind and around Stacy's vehicle until he arrives at the driver's side. As Grindstaff became even with Stacy's driver's side door, Stacy reportedly began driving away from him, the affidavit said.
The affidavit says Grindstaff discharged his firearm "multiple times at the vehicle" as it drove away from him. Grindstaff struck Stacy with "multiple rounds," and he died at the scene.
There was reportedly a passenger in Stacy's vehicle, but they were uninjured.
Washington County Sheriff Jay Cantrell asked ASP to investigate the shooting, and on March 11, Grindstaff was arrested by ASP after a special prosecutor assigned to the case charged him with murder and assault.
WCSO said Grindstaff was fired before his arrest.
March 11 report:
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