Officer Kristi Mitchell

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

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

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Alcohol beverage control officer assaulted at local club

On April 12, 2008, at 02:00 A.M, the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department responded to 310 East 49th Street, SHOOTER’S bar, in reference to a disturbance in progress. Officer Peter Mann arrived on scene and located the victim, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol Beverage Control, who was lying on the ground of the parking lot bleeding from his face and head. Life Net paramedics arrived and transported the Agent immediately to St. Michael’s hospital for medical attention. It was determined during the investigation that the agent was approached by an employee of the business advising of a suspected underage female inside the bar. The employee handed the females identification to the agent and then asked for assistance in determining her age. The agent went outside and approached the female. While speaking with the female, one of the suspects became confrontational from a distance with the agent while the other suspect struck him in the face and knocked him down. According to a witness, the suspect was on top of the agent beating him repeatedly with his fists. Both suspects fled the scene prior to officer’s arrival. After a short time, officers located one of the suspects in the parking lot of an apartment complex behind the business. The suspect was identified as Brandon Attaway, W/M 24 Y.O.A. Attaway was arrested and transported to the bi-state jail where he was charged with felony Battery 2nd, injury to an officer or state employee.

The agent was transported by ambulance to the hospital, where he later regained consciousness and gave a statement to detectives that the only thing he remembered from the attack was the suspect grabbing the ID from his hand. The agent was treated and released from the hospital.

Approximately nine hours later, Circuit Judge Jim Hudson called and ordered Attaway to be released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, which is not in accordance with the police department’s procedures for felony arrest. The procedure for a felony arrest is as follows: the suspect is arrested, and he or she is felony processed in the city jail. Following the felony process, the police department transfers the suspect to Miller County Jail within 48 hours where a bond is later set by a judge. A Personal Recognizance bond is usually issued to a misdemeanor non violent offender, where a court date is scheduled, and the person is given opportunity to return on a scheduled court date at a later time.

The investigation is ongoing and other arrests are expected.

Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime is encouraged to notify TAPD or Texarkana area CrimeStoppers at 903-793-STOP.

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