Pike County deputy cleared in August deadly shooting

PIKE COUNTY, Ark. – Arkansas State Police said Tuesday that a Pike County deputy has been cleared in an August shooting that left a woman dead.

According to ASP officials, 9th West Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Jana Bradford determined that the deputy’s use of lethal force was justified in the death of 43-year-old Jennifer Provence.

On Aug 29, state troopers said that Pulaski County deputies responded to a location on Highway 84 West near the Glenwood community in Pike County after receiving reports of a woman with a knife. The woman was identified as Provence, special agents said.

ASP official said Provence did not comply with the deputy’s commands to drop the knife, leading to him firing his service weapon and killing her.

State police said agents with the criminal investigation division prepared an investigative file and submitted it to the prosecuting attorney, who determined that the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas laws.

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