Washington County Sheriff’s Office identifies man killed by police in Springdale shooting

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office identifies the man killed by Springdale police in a shooting on Tuesday, according to a news release.

Dimitri Calvert, 30, was killed by Springdale police on Norfolk Avenue on Tuesday afternoon.

Around 1:52 p.m., the Springdale Police Department received a call of an armed suspect, according to Sgt. Matt Ray.

Once police arrived on the scene, they saw a Calvert with a knife. They told him to drop it, which he refused to do, according to police.

A news release from SPD said Calvert was reportedly damaging vehicles and threatening people in the neighborhood.

Police kill man in Springdale shooting on Norfolk Avenue

The encounter ended with police shooting Calvert. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died.

The investigation into the use of deadly force by the officer is being done by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, according to the release.

KNWA/FOX24 spoke with Calvert’s father. He says his son was having a mental breakdown and the officer should’ve tased him instead.

The release from WCSO says Calvert’s body will be taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy.

Calvert’s sister, Amber said in a Facebook post, “Pray for my family. The police shot (multiple) and killed my brother. Another black man taken from his family too soon. Rest easy big baby brother. Justice for Dimitri Edward Calvert.”

KNWA/FOX24 reached out to Springdale police for a response to the family’s feelings and to see if the department’s crisis intervention specialist was called to the neighborhood.

Sgt. Matt Ray responded that the investigation is still ongoing and it’s premature to answer these questions.

KNWA/FOX24 also sent a Freedom of Information Act request for any body camera or dash camera footage of what happened.

The investigation is ongoing.

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