MONETTE, Ark. – Authorities believe the off-duty officer who shot Steven Hunter Allen on February 11 in Monette acted in self-defense.
The prosecuting attorney, Sonia F. Hagood, wrote in the February 19 letter to the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office that no charges would be pursued against Brett Williams in the shooting death of Hunter Allen.
After careful review of your file, it appears the shooting was justified pursuant to A.C.A 5-2-607 Use of Deadly Physical Force in Defense of a Person. Evidence supports that Mr. Williams was lawfully present at the residence. Video evidence shows that Mr. Williams was attacked by Mr. Allen and made several attempts to subdue and calm Mr. Allen down. Mr. Williams attempted to retreat on at least two occasions and Mr. Allen continued the confrontation by physically fighting him and throwing an iron chair at him on at least two occasions.
The witness statements also support that before Mr. Allen threw the iron chair at Mr. Williams for a third time, he stated “you better shoot me or I’m going to kill you.” It was not until this point in the confrontation that Mr. Williams discharged his firearm and shot Mr. Allen two times in the chest.
Based on these facts, among others in your file, Mr. Williams was reasonable in his belief that his life, and others at the residence, were in danger of serious physical harm or death when he fired his weapon.
– Sonia F. Hagood
Read in Full: Monette Shooting Letter
The prosecutor gave authority to the sheriff’s office to conclude the investigation. The letter concludes by saying that, unless further evidence develops, the matter may be closed.
Williams, an officer with the Trumann Police Department, was off-duty at the time of the incident. Trumann Police Chief Jonathan Redman confirmed he was back on duty as of Tuesday, February 20.
Following the closing of the investigation, NEA Report requested all records associated with the case. Our reporting on the investigation, including video of the incident, is in the story:
A Widow Watched Her Husband Die. Then The Internet Accused Her of Murder.
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Really
2 times shot
Is there no law about conflict of interest? Brett Williams (Trumann police officer and brother of assaulted sister), got off due to a law stating his life was in danger and returned to work days later. When wife was first struck in the head at their home residence as soon as they arrived home from a Super Bowl party why was proper authorities not notified of the incident and let persons skilled in the situation handle it, she stated she was attacked and Hunter was suicidal, why was police not called to handle the situation, she apparently knew where Hunter was headed. By the time Hunter had made it to Monette to his mothers house proper authorities would have already been in place waiting on him to take him in esp if he was driving intoxicated, had struck his wife at their residence with children present and while he was holding their newborn baby and was suicidal. They probably could have intervened during his drive there. Yes, he would have been taken to jail and under suicide watch but my brother would still be alive. Why would you leave all your many other children who was prob upset and confused from the whole situation?Why would you waste time calling your mother to take care of your wounds and wait for your brother Brett Williams (Trumann police officer) to pick you up to drive you to monette bc you was too intoxicated to drive to pick up your husband who had just got through beating you up while holding yals baby in his arms, go pick him up from his mothers house which she stated in a tik toc statement that she was told to never let him go to his mothers home. A lot of time was wasted when she simply could have contacted the proper authorities as soon as incident occurred if she was that concerned for her husbands safety. If he was that intoxicated, police would and could have intervened before he even made it to his mothers house. Brett Williams was off duty and should have just been there for support not acting as a police officer and advised his sister on the proper steps to go through. He escalated the situation even worse by being there. Any intoxicated person who is trying to be handcuffed, esp by own brother in law, with your wife, mother in law, mom, and etc being present made the situation worse and harsh words were spoken and expected just as anyone else would react in same situation, that’s our owns body way to react, flight and fight stage. Brett William’s, Trumann police officer, brother of victim, did not use his best judgement in the decisions he made that night. The wife later stated that Brett and Hunter were not only brothers, they were good friends as well. Lots of emotions were involved that night and minds not thinking clearly. Was Brett using his best judgment and proper training during the whole situation? I believe he wasn’t, how could he when personal emotions were involved? Even if his sister asked him, why would he not use his best judgement and talk her into calling the proper authorities right then and just be there for her as a brother giving her support she needed at the time. Too much time had passed by the time they made it to Monette, he had plenty of time to commit suicide during that time she took waiting on mother and brother and taking care of her wounds, making sure other children were ok before leaving the house, etc when simply one phone call to police station and hunter prob would have not even made out of Jonesboro. Nothing adds up. I’ve tried to look at the situation from every angle and nothing makes sense! I’m not an investigator but I do have some common sense and something is suspicious about the situation. Did the Arkansas State Police investigate the murder? If not, how do we go about having that done. This was a murder, a very suspicious murder. So much stuff don’t add up. I would appreciate anyone’s help or advice as to where to go next? This was my brother. I agree he was so wrong in hitting a woman esp with their child in his arms, that’s another question, they had just arrived from a party where they both got intoxicated, did they take the baby with them, who was watching her? 2 adults left a party intoxicated with a baby? Who let them leave knowing they were driving intoxicated with a baby with them? From the footage it looked like they had just arrived home and got out of vehicle when he pushed her down with the baby in his arms. Was this a normal behavior for them? Is this something child protective services should look into as many other children live in the home. If there is anyone out there that has any advise or that could help me bring my brother justice I would greatly appreciate it. No, I was not there and have received many different stories and yes, me and my brother were not close at the time but I helped raise that young man and I never stopped loving him as my own. He did not deserve this. 2 children have to grow up without a father bc of this. I do agree with him being punished for attacking a women but it never should have escalated to him being shot in the chest. How could you shoot your brother in the chest? Was you not trained to shoot at a foot or leg so the victim can’t walk if you feel like your in harm, did he deserve to be shot in chest, not once but twice? I’m asking other officers out there how many of yal had to resort shooting someone in the chest due to a domestic disturbance call?Are yal trained to aim at chest first? Any advice appreciate!
Ashley Allen
ashleyallen1037@gmail.com