Suspect, police officer identified in fatal shooting

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Arkansas State Police are investigating a shooting that sent a Jonesboro police officer to the hospital and left another man dead.

Jayden J. Prunty, 22, of Jonesboro died at a local hospital Wednesday night following a shooting in the 200-block of Spruce Street.

According to ASP, an officer who was not identified, “encountered” Prunty around 10:30 p.m. near the Warren Street intersection.

“A struggle between the officer and Prunty occurred, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the two,” ASP said in a Thursday morning news release.

Both the officer and Prunty were taken to a local hospital. Prunty was later pronounced dead. ASP said the officer “sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.”

Later on Thursday, Jonesboro police released a redacted police report on the incident.

According to the incident report, Officer Corey Obregon called out that Prunty started fighting with him.

“While en route, approximately 10 seconds later, I heard Officer Obregon call out shots fired over the radio,” Officer Adam Charles Butler said in the report.

Obregon was shot in the right calf, while Prunty received a gunshot wound to the head, the report noted.

Obregon graduated from the police academy in Aug. 2019 and was the leader of his graduating class.

At the time, Obregon said he was looking forward to becoming a police officer and helping people.

”It’s a great relief but it’s not over yet. Like they said we have to continue our training and continue to learn and continue to get better and help make the community to get better,” Obregon said.

Prunty’s mother, Sherry, said Thursday evening that her heart was broken and that she “just lost her baby.”

She said her son lived in the area and was known to walk around. However, she said she did not know why he encountered police or why he fired a shot at the officer.

She also said Prunty had three brothers and described him as a “very intelligent young man.”

Special agents with ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division collected evidence from the scene and are continuing to investigate. Their investigation file will be turned over to the Craighead County prosecuting attorney who will determine if the officer’s use of deadly force was consistent with state law.

The Jonesboro Police Department said Friday the city attorney supported the department’s denial of a request by Region 8 News for body and dash camera video.

The Arkansas State Police is handling the investigation and a similar request to the office for body and dash camera video has been denied.

We have appealed both decisions based on previous Arkansas Court orders allowing for the release of daily operational information, even if it is used as part of an investigation.

Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver released a statement Thursday afternoon about the incident:

“As has been reported, an officer-involved shooting occurred last night in our city. A Jonesboro police officer was shot and injured but will recover. I thank God for the police force that protects our community, as well as the county deputies who were immediately on the scene. As a life was lost in the incident, my heart and prayers go out to the loved ones of all involved in last night’s events.”

Region 8 News will continue to track this story and provide details as they become available.

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