Matthew Abrams

Deadly force

At 6:45 p.m., a deputy on patrol in Pine Bluff saw a person he believed to be a suspect wanted in connection with recent crime. Matthew Abrams and another person got into a car and began to drive away with the deputy following. A other pursuit began when Abrams refused to stop for the deputy and turned onto railroad tracks. A short distance later, the passenger fled on foot and was caught by another officer. Abrams reportedly got out of the other and pointed a gun at the deputy who reportedly shot Abrams who fled on foot into a nearby wooded area. Multiple agencies sought Abrams, and Department of Corrections officers found Abrams in an area of dense brush. Abrams is reported to have pointed a gun at the officers, who ordered him to drop the gun. Abrams failed to comply with the orders and was shot and killed by the corrections officers. A small-caliber handgun was recovered next to Abrams's body.