POLICE CHIEF Heath Helton gives brief of Thursday morning shooting. Brian Chilson

Heath Helton, the new police chief for the Little Rock Police Department, on Thursday afternoon read a brief narrative of the officer-involved shooting that was reported around 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning. He did not identify the deceased individual or the officers involved.

Officers responded to an assist medical call early Thursday morning, where they found a woman bleeding from her mouth outside of her residence, Helton said. Prior to arrival, officials were told a “potentially suicidal” individual was at the scene.

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The woman advised police that “her boyfriend was inside the home, and that he was in possession of weapons.” Police communicated with the man through a window, and they entered when he did not leave the residence.

Once inside, deescalation tactics were used, Helton said. However, the man walked out of a bedroom with a gun to his head. “After shots were fired, the subject fell to the ground,” Helton said.

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Helton’s brief did not clarify where the shots came from. He also did not accept any questions related to the shooting, citing the ongoing investigation.

The victim received medical aid and was transported to a hospital where he later died.

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An internal investigation for the discharge of a service weapon is underway. A separate criminal investigation is also underway. Two officers were been placed on administrative leave following the shooting.

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