Man shot, killed by central Arkansas police officer identified

North Little Rock resident died Saturday

JACKSONVILLE -- A knife-wielding man who was shot and killed by a Jacksonville police officer late Saturday night has been identified as a North Little Rock resident.

According to a news release Monday from the Jacksonville Police Department, Stephen Dove, 50, 804 W. 50th St., was fatally shot by police during a stabbing incident.

Police responded to the 1400 block of Stanphil Road at 10:38 p.m. after a report of an aggravated assault, the release said.

Upon arrival, the officer found a man who had been stabbed and Dove standing over a second victim with a knife to that victim's throat, police wrote.

Police said Dove refused orders to drop the knife, at which time the officer fired two shots, hitting Dove in the right shoulder and left side of his back.

Dove was pronounced dead at the scene. The stabbing victim was taken to a local hospital.

A police report identified four victims: Kristie Ketcher, 49, and Jack Justice, 49, both of 1400 Stanphil Road, Lot D; Harold Wayne Munnerlyn, 47, 815 Stanphil Road; and Michael Munnerlyn, 46, 1400 Stanphil Road.

According to records, Harold Munnerlyn was the only person who suffered a severe laceration.

Jacksonville police spokesman April Kiser said she couldn't confirm if Harold Munnerlyn was the man who was stabbed, but believed the victim had already been released from the hospital.

Police said the circumstances behind the stabbing appear to be an argument.

The unidentified officer has been placed on administrative leave until further notice in accordance with department policy.

"They have not released the officer's information," Kiser said. "There will be an updated release once it is turned over to the prosecuting attorney."

Jacksonville's department will handle the investigation and the prosecuting attorney will review the file once it's complete.

According to court records, Dove had multiple run-ins with law enforcement, with a majority of them being misdemeanor charges. He was sentenced to two years in prison in 2015 after having his probation revoked.

Dove was most recently arrested in August for misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Metro on 09/18/2018

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