Bentonville officer will not face charges for using deadly force

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A Bentonville Police officer will not face criminal charges after he shot and killed a man on July 11, according to a news release.

An investigation by the Arkansas State Police concluded that Officer Omri-Andrew Nutt responded to a call before 6 p.m. on July 11 reporting that Nathaniel Crabtree had caused physical injury to people in a Bentonville neighborhood.

“[A] victim was in her driveway when Crabtree ran at her from across the street, leapt into the air, and kicked her forcefully in the chest,” the determination letter states.”… a different woman in the neighborhood had been struck in the back by a concrete retaining wall block moments earlier by an unknown man matching Crabtree’s description.”

When Officer Nutt arrived he had reason to believe that Crabtree may have had a gun in his hands based on information from dispatchers, the letter states. Nutt did not activate his lights and sirens when he arrived. Due to this, his body-worn camera did not turn on, according to a letter from the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney.

In the letter, it is stated that Nutt was “starting his lunch break within a few streets of the reported crimes”… he told dispatch that he was responding to the call. Nutt said it was “unclear as to whether it was the suspect or someone else that was armed.”

Dispatchers were said to have stated: “972 be advised: the reporting party is saying that he had a gun in his hand.”

Nutt found Crabtree walking on the sidewalk, he did not activate his emergency lights to “avoid spooking Crabtree,” the letter states. Crabtree approached the police vehicle with a clenched fist against his chest.

According to the letter, Officer Nutt tried to manually turn on his camera system while parking his car. He was unsuccessful in doing so.

“Nutt thought he saw something black in Crabtree’s hand, though he was not certain,” the investigation shows.

The letter says Nutt deployed his taser against Crabtree before using his firearm, but it seemed ineffective. Crabtree continued to approach the officer and ignored the officer’s commands, according to the letter.

“It appeared to Officer Nutt that Crabtree was concealing something that may be used to hurt him,” the letter states. “Officer Nutt was overcome with a deep fear that the subject was going to try to kill him. Officer raised his sidearm, aimed at center mass, and fired one shot. Crabtree said, ‘Ouch,’ turned and ran away.”

Crabtree eventually fell to the ground. When other officers arrived, they rendered aid and life-saving measures until EMTs arrived. Crabtree was later died at the hospital.

The 19th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney will not pursue charges against Nutt.

The Criminal Investigation Division of the Arkansas State Police helped with the investigation.

Nutt, started working for BPD in January 2022, was placed on paid administrative leave, per BPD protocol.

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