Police release video in Blytheville roadside shooting

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. (KAIT) - Blytheville police have released the video of the shooting earlier this week at the Division Street/Highway 61 exit of Interstate 55.

On Wednesday, police released the names of both people who were shot.

Chief Ross Thompson said Tuesday that a suspect from out of state was walking in the area when they approached a driver who had pulled over on the side of the road to adjust something on their trailer.

The suspect then attempted to attack the driver, leaving the driver shot in the process while two witnesses saw what was happening and tried to help.

The suspect attacked one of the witnesses, and in the process of the attack, one of the witnesses shot the suspect.

On Wednesday, police released more details on the shooting incident.

“On arrival, officers located a black pickup truck with a small trailer in a ditch, a smoldering fire coming from the truck and two subjects shot,” Thompson said Wednesday. “One of those subjects, found lying on the ground beside the truck, was 57-year-old Randal Churchwell of Harrisburg. The other subject, lying in the roadway, was 23-year-old Austin Davis of Pocahontas, Ill.”

Thompson said Churchwell was able to tell police that he pulled off the road to fix the trailer when Davis walked up and got into his truck.

A fight then happened between Churchwell and Davis, Thompson said.

“As he tried to get Davis out of his truck, when, according to Churchwell, Davis shot him,” Thompson said.

Churchwell tried to drive away but got stuck in a nearby ditch, causing a fire in the truck, police said.

Several people who were at the scene went to help Churchwell, but the scene turned chaotic.

“Officers also located individuals on scene from Blytheville, who reported they were driving by and stopped to help but Davis turned on them, assaulting and chasing them back to their car,” Thompson said. “They were armed with a firearm and shot Davis after giving him warnings to stop the assault.”

Thompson said police do not anticipate filing any charges against the people who helped Churchwell. However, the investigation into Davis continues.

“The department is also looking into information that Davis had stolen a vehicle in Illinois and in the county outside the city the night before,” Thompson said.

Police also said that a SkyCop captured a video of the incident.

Thompson also thanked the people, including paramedics and firefighters, who responded to help as well as those who helped Churchwell.

“We do not want something like this to prevent citizens from helping when we find each other in need. We do remind you to use caution, be aware of your surroundings and always be prepared,” Thompson said.

Police said Churchwell has been released from the hospital, while Davis remains in the hospital in improved condition.

Davis is also facing a 1st degree battery charge.

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