The Helena-West Helena Police Department is tightening security after being notified of a threat made against the department.
Helena-West Helena Police Chief Virgil Green said Friday evening that he had been contacted by the Arkansas State Fusion Center about a threat made against his department after a Tuesday afternoon shooting in which an officer shot a man. The Fusion Center shares with law enforcement agencies information that has been pooled together from various agencies.
The threat was that a gang was possibly going to retaliate against the department and other police departments because of Tuesday's shooting, Green said. Myron Pollard, who was shot by a police officer from Helena-West Helena, was accused of being a member of a gang.
Green said the department had not received any direct threats, but he said that as a precaution officers were working in pairs while police continue to investigate Tuesday's shooting.
Pollard, of Clarksdale, Miss., was hospitalized and was listed in fair condition, Green said.
At 2 p.m. Tuesday, officers received a report of people in two vehicles shooting at each other, according to a news release from police. When officers arrived, they saw Pollard, the driver of a gray Mazda, shooting at a maroon Pontiac sedan, the release said.
Officers followed the Mazda, and as the car reached the intersection of McDonough and Holly streets, Pollard stopped the car and got out, the release said. He emerged holding an assault rifle that he turned toward officers, the release said. Police shot Pollard after he did not drop the gun when ordered.
At the request of Green, Arkansas State Police are investigating the shooting to make sure the officer acted in accordance with state law. The officer, who has not been named, was placed on administrative leave under department policy.
Metro on 09/06/2015