PINE BLUFF, Ark. — An Arkansas State Police (ASP) trooper was placed on paid administrative leave on Friday after shooting a 19-year-old Pine Bluff man who authorities said had active warrants in a homicide investigation.
ASP said the trooper was off-duty when he shot Derrick Stidum around 10:50 a.m. in a residential area on Nebraska Street as he "resisted being taken into custody."
According to authorities, the trooper was in the city for a training event. He was assisting the Pine Bluff Police Department in serving a capital murder warrant when they said Stidum started a high-speed chase in an allegedly stolen vehicle.
The car chase ended with a crash on East 11th Avenue and Ohio Street. ASP said Stidum and a passenger exited the vehicle and ran off.
When police caught up to Stidham, a statement from state police said the unnamed trooper shot him.
Stidham received treatment at the hospital and was immediately taken into custody on charges of theft by receiving and fleeing. He is being held at the Jefferson County Detention Center with capital murder charges pending.
We're awaiting word on which murder Stidham is suspected of committing. The statement also didn't say if the passenger was in custody.
This is an ongoing investigation. We will update this story with more information as it becomes available.