Man shoots himself in back of police car after arrest, Ark. police say

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter ,; Cybercrime

CBS/AP

(AP) JONESBORO, Ark. - Authorities in Jonesboro are investigating after a handcuffed man fatally shot himself while sitting in the back of a patrol car.

The Jonesboro Sun reports that 21-year-old Chavis Chacobie Carter shot himself Saturday night. Carter, who was from Southaven, Miss., had been picked up on a felony warrant from Mississippi.

Jonesboro Police Chief Mike Yates says his department is now conducting an internal investigation after the death.

A police report says Carter was in the back of a patrol car with his hands cuffed behind his back when officers discovered he'd been shot. He was taken to a hospital where he later died.

Police say they're investigating how Carter got the gun and noted that he'd been searched twice by officers after his arrest.

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by TFAIN1 August 4, 2012 4:09 AM EDT: I agree...Where is CBS?; Reply to this comment

by talis4 August 2, 2012 4:32 PM EDT

Ah, yes arkansas: mississippi's semi-retarded twin. Only in the god-forsaken land of the right wing moron can a travesty like this occur without consequences. Hands handcuffed behind his back, in the back seat of the cruiser. What has to happen down south for a cop to be charged with murder? I guess in the land of "ignorance is strength" and "knowin' something" makes you an elitest; the local constabulary can get away with anything.

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by Sheepdog202 August 2, 2012 5:21 PM EDT: Well it sounds like we a missing the rest of the story. Certainly may be one of the ten deadly errors
That get police officers killed. Improper search or use of handcuffs.


by ThePBP August 2, 2012 5:51 PM EDT: Thank you for posting this. Your perspective is on point. I don't understand why CBS, for me Channel 7 news, doesn't have this at the top of their news stories on T.V. right now. I keep waiting for it. Fail, CBS. Definite fail for covering relevant news. I apologize for the harsh opinion, but as I say, facts is facts.


by BWB2020 August 2, 2012 4:30 AM EDT: This info comes from a local source

"...According to the police report, 21-year-old Chavis Chacobie Carter was just a passenger in a vehicle with two other men, when one of the police officers found marijuana and some plastic baggies in his possession—causing him to be detained. And it was also reported that he had a warrant for a missed court date on drug charges in Mississippi.

Due to the extenuating circumstances, Carter was allegedly placed in handcuffs and searched two times before he was then placed into the back seat of the squad car alone, but things would become quite murky after that.

According to KAIT, after Carter was tucked away in the back of the squad car with his hands handcuffed behind his back, the two officers stepped away to question the other two men. During that time, one of the officers claimed that he heard a 'loud thump with a metallic sound' as a car passed by—leading the officers to believe that the passing vehicle had struck a piece of metal as it passed.

After questioning and then releasing the other two men, they then realized that Carter had been shot, as he was found in a 'sitting position slumped forward with his head in his lap' with his hands still cuffed behind his back with a handgun reportedly found beside him..."

Now, if that is truly the police report, there are holes big enough to drive a cash-stuffed Brinks truck through, and I hope the victim's mother sues for ten times the amount that could be in a cash-stuffed Brinks truck.; Reply to this comment


by BWB2020 August 2, 2012 4:11 AM EDT: "..discovered he'd been shot..."

No one heard a shot?

Being searched didn't reveal prior bleeding?

Hands cuffed behind his back?

Arkansas cops?

Obviously they're lying.

We already know that the blue thugs involved will likely get no more than desk duty with pay, so lets get on to the civil lawsuits, and make them for huge amounts.; Reply to this comment

by jmn122736 August 2, 2012 4:08 AM EDT

It would be nice if articles, like this one, contained more obviously needed details. For instance , exactly where (in the body) was the man shot.

Handcuffed with his hands behind his back would make it a little hard to shoot himself anywhere other than his legs or feet. The direction of the bullet should also be an important clue.

I agree, his own department should definitely NOT make this investigation.

It is extremely rare for ANY police officer to even be charged for a crime, especially murder

Two rare instances:

Drew Peterson, a Texas cop on trial now for murdering his third wife. He is also a suspect in his fourth wife's murder.

To make matters worse the Judge, in the case is considering declaring a mistrial or even dismissing the case, in a manner that would prevent Peterson from being retried for the same murder.

AFTER 26 years LAPD detective, Stephanie Lazarus, is convicted of murdering the wife of her lover.

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by Well_You_Aint_Me August 2, 2012 8:21 AM EDT: Where the H311 did you get the idea that this cop in IL. is from Texas?

Here go do a little reading and catch-up with current events.The earth is thought to be flat anymore.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Peterson


by jmn122736 August 2, 2012 9:31 AM EDT: Sorry for the error;

BTW, Well_You_Aint_Me:

Thanks for the civil response; May I assume that You are from Texas?


by JoelGlennWright August 6, 2012 10:25 PM EDT: Well, In this particular case, the man was shot in the head. According to his mother, he was shot in the right temple which is interesting because his hands were still handcuffed behind his back at the time and also, again according to his mother, he was LEFT HANDED!

by rwsmith29456 August 2, 2012 1:47 AM EDT

Saved taxpayers a trial.

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by BWB2020 August 2, 2012 4:01 AM EDT: Nope, the investigation will prove more expensive, as will the following lawsuits.

Your own ASPD notwithstanding, the situation will, in all likelihood, wind up costing taxpayers fare more.


by yellagurl82 August 2, 2012 12:37 AM EDT: wow if that dont sound like a phabrication i dont know what do! smh at who ever made that BS up!!!; Reply to this comment

by nbcnews August 1, 2012 7:40 PM EDT

Hey
They searched him twice before they put him in the car,
I think that suicide is worse than that black guy that drowned trying to steal all that anchor chain.

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