Cpl. Bart Veal

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-798-2368 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Large Disturbance In Inghram Homes

During the evening hours of 07-04-05, Texarkana, Arkansas Police Patrol Officers responded to a number of disturbances at various apartment complexes within the city. At approximately 10:45pm, as officers were on a call at Ingram Homes, additional units were requested to immediately assist when the crowd became unruly. The units were initially dispatched based on a fireworks complaint. As the first unit arrived, and made contact with some suspects, others began firing fireworks toward the officer and onlookers. Additional units were dispatched, and the crowd ultimately grew from 40 to approximately 250 persons. A large number of primarily 13 to 20 year old individuals began throwing bottles and rocks at the responding officers and their marked patrol units. The crowd was ordered to disperse, and the Patrol Supervisors issued a warning that chemical munitions would be deployed if they failed to disperse. The crowd continued to grow and presented a continuing threat to the neighborhood and officers. 3rd Shift supervisors requested that all 2nd shift officers preparing to end their tour of duty respond to the location. Upon arrival of the additional officers, and following the warning to disperse which went unheeded, officers deployed various munitions, including hand held O.C. spray, Pepper-Ball O.C. munitions, and O.C. grenades. The chemical munitions were effective in dispersing the crowds, and order was restored without significant injury or property damage.

During the ordeal, two marked TAPD units were damaged by thrown debris, and one officer was struck by a rock, but was not injured.

One 15 year-old black male juvenile was arrested by officers for Inciting a Riot, a Class D Felony, and was transported to JDC. At least one additional Inciting charge is pending against a second person, a 28 year old black male of Texarkana, Arkansas.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.