By Ashlyn Brothers
Fayetteville police mourn the loss of their brother in blue. Law enforcement and community members are still trying to understand why a man ambushed a police officer and executed him. Fayetteville Police Chief Mike Reynolds said Officer Stephen Carr was just beginning his night shift Saturday, Dec. 7 when London Phillips shot him point-blank at approximately 9:42. Chief Reynolds said Officer Carr was waiting for his partner in the Fayetteville Police Department parking lot so they could begin their shift patrolling Dickson Street when he was shot and killed.
Early Monday morning, members of the law enforcement community lined the streets in remembrance. Police escorted the body of Officer Carr from the Washington County Coroner’s Office to the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock. The autopsy was completed by the Arkansas State Medical Examiner. According to the medical examiner, preliminary findings revealed that Officer Carr was shot 10 times in the head, all of which would have been fatal. Meanwhile, Phillips’ autopsy revealed that the suspect was shot six times.
A statement given by the sheriff’s office concludes no further information regarding the autopsies will be released until the full results have been filed.
The assailant used an illegally purchased 9 mm semi-automatic handgun to shoot the victim, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Preliminary investigation indicates the assailant fired 16 rounds and had reloaded the weapon with another full magazine containing 17 rounds,” stated the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. “Searches of the assailant’s social media accounts indicate he was interested in anti-law enforcement groups.”
The Fayetteville Police Department held a candlelight vigil outside the Walton Arts Center for Officer Carr from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Officials blocked off Dickson Street from West Ave. to School Ave. for the event.
A memorial sat outside of the Fayetteville Police Department where he lost his life. Devastated and distraught residents of Northwest Arkansas left candles, flowers, and pictures commemorating Officer Carr’s service and commitment to the community. Visitors said it’s an emotional experience to see the outpouring. Some have placed notes alongside the photo of Stephen Carr and the police SUV. Governor Asa Hutchinson also ordered both U.S. and state flags to fly at half-staff in memory of Officer Carr.
“Nothing like this has ever happened in my career and I believe it’s been since 1968 that, umm, an officer [has] been killed in killed or uh passed away in the line of duty at Fayetteville or in Northwest Arkansas for that matter,” said Sgt. Murphy, P.I.O. for the Fayetteville Police Department. “It’s just been very somber, and uh, you know, police department has a lot of resolve. You know, we are, umm, a pretty strong bunch and we will band together with the community.”
The late 27-year-old dedicated over two years of service to the NWA community. Sgt. Murphy said Carr was waiting for his partner to set out on their nightly patrol of the entertainment district. Sgt. Murphy told UATV it was a brutal and unexpected attack.
“Officer Carr was sitting in his vehicle, umm, and was ambushed and executed by, umm, a criminal,” Sgt. Murphy said.
Ray Dotson, owner of Ozark Mountain Carriages, was on the Fayetteville Downtown Square and Gardens when the shooting occurred. Dotson said he can still recall the surrounding sights and sounds.
“There [were] probably 15/16 shots, and at that time, I knew there was a shooting going on,” Dotson said.
Dotson helped ensure people’s safety during the ordeal. He said he will never forget what he witnessed — courage in the midst of chaos.
“I got off the carriage, told my handlers to hold the horse. I had turned off the lights in my ticket booth, told people to get down. I sent my carriages over the hill,” Dotson said.
Sgt. Murphy reminds people of law enforcement’s purpose: to protect and serve.
“The blue line, umm, separates the line between good and evil and that line is the police department,” Sgt. Murphy said.
Two officers were able to chase down the suspect, London Phillips. They shot and killed him in the moments after the initial incident. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave which police tell UATV is standard procedure. Police released the names of those two officers who were involved in the confrontation with the shooter. Cpl. Seay Floyd and Officer Natalie Eucce heard a commotion in the parking lot of the police station. Police said they both followed the suspect down a nearby alley and shot several times. Officer Eucce was Officer Carr’s partner at the police department.
Police said Phillips was accused of threatening to set his mother on fire during an argument in 2012. Although Phillips has never been arrested in this area, police tell UATV he is known to law enforcement. Last December, local authorities investigated Phillips for allegedly impersonating a police officer.
Fayetteville’s mayor took to Facebook to address the city after the tragedy. Mayor Lioneld Jordan admitted he is known for his rallying cry of “don’t you just love this city,” but now he has asked everyone to embrace each other with compassion.
“We are filled with sorrow and confusion. Please be kind as we all go through this process,” Mayor Jordan said.
State leaders also showed their support for local officers and the Fayetteville community.
Representative Steve Womack said, “[Officer Carr] proudly wore his shield while upholding his oath to keep Arkansans safe each day.” Womack said Carr will be remembered for his “dedication to the community, the selfless service he exemplified and the meaning of the uniform he wore.”
Residents may have noticed how police officers across the community have honored Officer Carr. Police altered their normal badges to show solidarity for the fallen officer. Badges are adorned with a black line when an officer falls in the line of duty. This is a tradition that has been around for over 100 years and began with officers putting a black band around their arm. Police officers traditionally wear the badges of mourning until the fallen officer has been laid to rest.
Students at the University of Arkansas grieved the loss of Officer Carr and honored him with a black backdrop and a single, blue line painted through the middle. Kappa Sigma fraternity members hung a banner from their house to show solidarity.
“It hits pretty close to home knowing that it could be any of my family members and close friends. A lot of times police officers go unnoticed for how much they do for our country and for our communities,” said Braden Havasta, Kappa Sig member. “As a group, I think this was an important thing for our house to show our support of the Fayetteville Police Department.”
Other Greek organizations like the men of Sigma Chi have followed suit. Local businesses, Donald W. Reynolds Stadium and the Washington Regional Medical Center have illuminated the night sky with bright blue lights to show support for Officer Carr.
A visitation took place Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 3-7 p.m. at University Baptist Church. The funeral was held at Bud Walton Arena beginning at 1 p.m. on Dec. 12. Both services were open to the public. People from across the country came to Fayetteville to honor the fallen officer. At the end of the ceremony, police issued a 21-gun salute and Chief Reynolds presented Carr’s family with the American flag.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office released surveillance video from the Fayetteville Police Department revealing the events in five parts.
“We have hesitated to release the attached video of what transpired that night due to the heinous and shocking nature of this crime, but in an effort to keep the public informed of exactly what happened that night, we are releasing video of the incident along with the results of the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s preliminary findings,” according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. “Our concern, first and foremost, is for the family of Officer Carr, so prior to sharing any of this information publicly, it was first shared with them.”
Officials have advised people to view the videos with caution and at their own discretion.
“Video #1 – Assailant is seen walking eastbound down the sidewalk in front of Fayetteville City Hall on Mountain Street just before the shooting,” according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
To view the first video, click here.
“Video #2 – Back Parking Lot of Fayetteville Police Department –Fayetteville Police Officer Stephen Carr is sitting in the front driver seat of the police unit facing the building with the headlights on. [The] assailant is first seen walking south on Block Avenue, crosses in front of a car that had just parked with the headlights on, proceeds west, crosses Block Avenue, and continues west into the alleyway behind the police department. He approaches Carr’s police unit from behind… NOTE: The person shown walking into the alleyway after Officer Carr was shot is an off-duty Fayetteville police officer. NOTE: Corporal Floyd is seen exiting Police Department Northwest Door,” as seen on the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
To view the second video, click here.
“Video #3 – Officer Eucce and Sergeant Jennings exiting Police Department Northeast Door,” stated the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
To view the third video, click here.
“Video #4 – Assailant going south into alleyway between Fayetteville Police Department and Fayetteville District Court Building,” according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
To view the fourth video, click here.
“Video #5 – Overview from City Hall of Officer Floyd, Officer Eucce and Sergeant Jennings searching for assailant, then engaging him in the alleyway,” said the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
To view the fifth video, click here.
A GoFundMe was set up for Officer Carr’s memorial to be presented to his family. People across the country helped raise $91,125 in Officer Carr’s memory.