North Little Rock Police Department officer facing charges after shooting incident

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Officials with the North Little Rock Police Department said an officer is facing charges after investigators said he shot an occupied car while chasing a suspect running away from a traffic stop.

NLRPD officials said in a Monday release that Officer Jesse Gossage resigned earlier in the day following the investigation into the July 19 incident.

Department investigators said had Gossage stopped a car with an expired license plate traveling in the area of Buckeye Street and East Washington Avenue at 12:14 a.m. on July 19. The investigators said the driver pulled to the side of the road, quickly exited the car holding a small dark object and ran away from the vehicle.

Authorities said Gossage then fired in the direction of the fleeing suspect, with multiple shots hitting an occupied car that was not involved with the traffic stop. Additional officers then responded to the scene to search for the suspect but were unable to locate them.

Police said there were no injuries caused by the shots fired by the officer.

Officials said detectives then began an investigation and later found that Gossage had violated NLRPD policy regarding response to resistance and use of deadly force. The investigation details were shared with the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office, which decided to file charges after consulting with the NLRPD.

Authorities said Gossage was arrested Monday after surrendering. He is now facing charges of criminal attempted first-degree battery and first-degree assault.

In the release, NLRPD Chief Patrick Thessing shared a statement on the incident and the following investigation.

“The North Little Rock Police Department is committed to holding its officers to the highest standards of conduct and integrity,” Thessing said. “When those standards are not met, it is our duty to act decisively and in the best interests of our community. We pledge to uphold transparency and accountability, taking every necessary step to resolve the issue and preserve the trust placed in us by the public.”

NLRPD officials said Gossage was employed with the department for almost four years.

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