FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – New details have emerged regarding the murder of Fayetteville Police Officer Stephen Carr, who was killed in an ambush attack outside the police department earlier this month. The 27-year-old officer was shot 10 times in the head while sitting in his patrol car, according to investigators. The suspect, 35-year-old London Phillips, was later shot and killed by two other officers.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, which is leading the investigation alongside the FBI at the request of Fayetteville Police Chief Mike Reynolds, released surveillance footage of the incident on Friday. The video shows Phillips approaching Carr’s vehicle from behind and opening fire.
“We have hesitated to release the attached video of what transpired that night due to the heinous and shocking nature of this crime, but in an effort to keep the public informed of exactly what happened that night, we are releasing video of the incident along with the results of the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s preliminary findings,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Officer Carr was killed at approximately 9:45 p.m. on December 7.
One of the five videos released showed Phillips approaching Carr’s patrol vehicle from behind. It later showed him indiscriminately firing shots at the SUV as he walked away. Sheriff’s investigators said Phillips fired 16 rounds and had reloaded the weapon with another full magazine containing 17 rounds. Police said Phillips shot Carr at point-blank range using a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun he bought legally in 2017.
A search of Phillips’ social media accounts revealed an interest in anti-law enforcement groups, according to the sheriff’s office. Further details about these groups were not provided.
An autopsy revealed that any one of the 10 shots to Carr’s head would have been fatal. Phillips was shot six times by responding officers, according to Fox News. He was carrying a full box of ammunition containing 50 rounds and a second box with 32 rounds.
Hundreds attended Carr’s funeral last Thursday. Pictures posted by the sheriff’s office on Facebook showed law enforcement officers and civilians lining the streets and saluting the casket as it passed in a motorcade.
“As the police chief, I make this vow: Stephen Carr’s badge number 413 will not be forgotten,” Reynold’s said during the funeral, according to KFSM-TV. “May God bless the family. God bless each and every one of you. And God bless the Fayetteville Police Department.”
The Fayetteville Police Department hired Carr in April 2017. He was a patrol officer in the Dickson Street entertainment district. Police called him a “hero” and said he served with dedication and professionalism for over two years. The community mourns the loss of a dedicated officer and public servant. This incident highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement personnel every day.
The investigation is ongoing.
Fallen officers will always be remembered.
Police suicide is a serious issue.
Officer Down is a phrase no one wants to hear.