Arkansas State Police trooper struck by gunfire Thursday; two suspects dead

Two suspects are dead and an Arkansas State Police trooper recovering after an incident Thursday afternoon in the Memphis area.

Arkansas State Trooper Spencer Morris was struck by gunfire earlier this afternoon in the Memphis area while assisting other law enforcement agencies attempting to take an individual into custody, a release from state police in Arkansas said.

Traffic is moving again along I 55 but the Mclemore exits are still closed. Picture of where ab Arkansas trooper crashed after being hit by gunfire this afternoon. He is expected to be OK. Still waiting for more details pic.twitter.com/xV88vWjSI6

— melissa moon (@MMoon_WREG3) December 16, 2021

Trooper Morris was transported to a Memphis hospital where doctors determined he had not sustained any life threatening wounds. After the medical examination he was released to return home.

Trooper Morris is 33 years old and a three year veteran of the Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol Division where he is assigned to Troop D, headquartered at Forrest City.

As required under Arkansas State Police policy, Trooper Morris is currently on paid administrative leave while an investigation involving the use of deadly force is underway.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is the lead law enforcement agency investigating the incident.

U.S. Marshals were pursing two men from West Memphis into Memphis. One of the suspects was wanted on a felony warrant out of South Carolina, WREG reported.

Gunfire from within the vehicle was directed at officers. Trooper Morris was shot. Police returned fire, killing both suspects.