Randy Lee Stroble

Deadly force

Officer John Platt shot and killed unarmed Randy Stroble as he backed away in thigh-deep water. Stroble had fled from a hearing at the Benton County Courthouse after a judge said he'd have to take a blood-alcohol test. Stroble ran through a boggy area where he allegedly taunted Platt, splashed water at him and told Platt that he'd have to shoot him to bring him in. Platt had his gun drawn as Stroble backed away from him. The two men then disappeared from view before witnesses reported hearing gunshots about two minutes later. A coroner's jury ruled that Platt wasn't acting in self-defense.