FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 17, 2026

CONTACT

Aric Mitchell, PIO

479-709-5000

info@fortsmithpd.org

OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING UPDATE

Fort Smith Police Department releases names of Officer and Suspect in Sunday morning shooting

Fort Smith, AR - At approximately 1:23 AM on Sunday, May 17, Fort Smith Police Officers were investigating a group of juveniles in the park area near the amphitheater off McClure Drive when they observed a white pickup truck driving into a ditch nearby.

Officer Kyle Newman approached the vehicle to check on the driver while another remained with the juveniles and several parents who had arrived at the scene to take custody of their children.

During the contact, Officer Newman approached the white truck and began a driving while intoxicated investigation involving the driver, identified as 27-year-old Joshua Keller of Fort Smith.

At one point during the encounter, Keller became argumentative, re-entered the vehicle, and attempted to flee. As Officer Newman attempted to detain him outside the vehicle, Keller produced a handgun and shot Officer Newman in the neck.

Officer Newman returned fire as he fell to the ground. The other officer present at the time responded immediately after hearing gunfire, broadcast that shots had been fired, fired at the fleeing vehicle, and then began rendering aid to Officer Newman while additional officers responded to the area.

The suspect fled the scene in the pickup truck, leading officers onto Interstate 540. The pursuit ended after the suspect vehicle crashed near the Grand Avenue exit.

As officers approached the vehicle following the crash, an additional officer-involved shooting occurred. The suspect, Joshua Keller, was pronounced deceased at the scene. A handgun was recovered from inside the vehicle.

Officer Newman was transported by EMS and later airlifted to a local trauma Center, where he remains in critical condition.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

The Arkansas State Police has been requested to investigate the officer-involved shooting connected to the pursuit and crash scene. The Fort Smith Police Department Criminal Investigations Division is leading the investigation on McClure Drive.

At this time, certain investigative details cannot be released in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and ensure accuracy.

We ask the community to keep Officer Newman, his family, and all involved personnel in their thoughts and prayers.

Officer Kyle Newman

Joshua Ramsey Keller, 27