An armed man who had barricaded himself within a massage therapy business at the Lewis Crossing Shopping Center in Conway, Arkansas, was fatally shot by police on Saturday, April 6.

Reports of a man driving his vehicle into the storefront of Massage Envy led to the deployment of the Conway Police Department SWAT team. The suspect had armed himself and was holed up in a room inside the business. Negotiations came to an abrupt end when the man opened fire on the police officers, leading to a gunfight that resulted in the shooter being shot. He was rushed to a hospital but later died from his injuries.

None of the police officers involved in the incident were injured. The identity of the deceased man has not been released by the authorities. Officer Shad Foley, a spokesperson for the Conway Police Department, stated that the investigation into the incident was still in its early stages, and questions concerning the man’s motives and potential charges were yet to be addressed.

Images and videos from the scene showed the man’s white SUV fully inside the massage therapy business. An armored police vehicle was stationed outside during the standoff, causing nearby businesses to be evacuated as a safety measure.

Ashley McCoy, a manager at a neighboring business, reported hearing what she thought were gunshots, leading the police to instruct her and her staff to remain indoors. The unclear nature of the situation initially sparked fears of an active shooter scenario among the local population.

The Arkansas State Police have taken over the investigation, a standard procedure when local police are involved in a shooting. This process aims to uphold impartiality and integrity by ensuring an independent analysis of the events. The investigation’s findings will be passed on to local prosecutors to determine if the police’s actions were legally justified. In the meantime, at least two officers have been placed on administrative leave as part of this process.

Conway, located about 33 miles north of Little Rock, is home to approximately 67,000 residents. This event has reignited debates on police tactics, the use of force, and the handling of standoffs and armed confrontations that require the evacuation of nearby businesses.