LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Little Rock Police Department has released dash camera video of a Dec. 19 pursuit and standoff that began after a man allegedly kidnapped his child from a West Little Rock Walmart.
Police said Farris Deloney, 43, fired shots outside the store at Cantrell Road and Chenal Parkway during an argument with his girlfriend. He then drove away with their baby, police said.
As police tried to stop Deloney’s SUV, he led them on a short chase up Interstate 430 – stopping off the Crystal Hill exit. As officers descend on his vehicle, one can be heard on the radio saying “he’s got a gun in his hand up to his head.”
“You can tell from the video the officers were still amped up when they first initially stopped him because you heard a lot of yelling,” Lt. Michael Ford, Little Rock Police Department spokesperson, said.
In the moments that followed, Ford said officers focused intently on deescalating the situation peacefully.
“Sir, it is going to be okay. Don't do this with your baby,” an officer says in the video. Another can be heard saying, “Listen, just drop it man.”
Soon after, an officer pulls the baby from Deloney’s passenger seat.
Negotiations continued with the suspect for more than an hour. He surrendered to police without incident.
As Deloney was taken into custody, an officer can be heard telling him: “We got you. You're going to be okay.”
Following his arrest, police said Deloney was treated for mental health issues they believe may have contributed to the situation.
Deloney was charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Crisis de-escalation scenarios are part of the 40-hour continuing education completed by each LRPD officer annually.
“We're ever-evolving and trying to get to the point where we're using more de-escalation tactics to control the situation rather than hands-on or anything like that," Ford said.
Moving forward, Ford said LRPD plans to use the dash camera video and lessons learned from the situation as part of its de-escalation training.