Prosecutor determines deadly force justified for two Cabot officers

CABOT, Ark. – Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney Chuck Graham has determined that two Cabot police officers were justified in their use of deadly force during a May traffic stop.

Officials said the incident was a man trying to evade the stop. They said the two officers attempted to stop the man driving a stolen SUV the afternoon of May 23.

The SUV driver, 23-year-old Zion Jackson of Ward, fled, according to officials. Officers put out spike strips, but Jackson was able to miss them and drove toward the two officers, who then fired their sidearms.

Jackson continued driving until his car left the road. Officers then took him into custody without incident, officials said.

Jackson was wanted at the time by the Conway Police Department on outstanding charges of committing a terroristic act and first-degree battery in connection with an April 19 shooting at the University of Central Arkansas, according to officials. Investigators determined that Jackson, a convicted felon, had two guns hidden on his person.

Graham reviewed the use of force at the request of Cabot police. In an Aug. 7 letter to Cabot Police Chief Scott Steely, he wrote he “reasonably believed that Zion Jackson used deadly physical force against them by attempting to hit them with his vehicle. Therefore, both officers were fully justified under the Arkansas statutory law of self-defense.”