Arkansas corrections officer fatally shot by man being booked on drug crimes

An Arkansas corrections officer was shot and killed by a suspect as he was being booked into the county jail, according to authorities.

The gunfire erupted inside a bathroom Wednesday night at the Perry County Jail, located about 35 miles northwest of Little Rock.

The alleged shooter, Roderick Lewis, was changing out of his own clothes and into attire issued by the jail when he whipped out a gun and fatally shot Jeremiah Story, a 21-year-old detention officer at the facility, according to state police. The officer was rushed to nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Thursday.

Another person present on the scene told authorities they were able to disarm 37-year-old Lewis, who was initially being booked on drug crimes. He has since been transferred to the nearby Faulkner County Detention Center and is now facing a capital murder charge in Story’s death.

According to authorities, Lewis was armed when he arrived at the Perry County Jail.

An investigation, carried out by the Arkansas State police, is underway.

With News Wire Services