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Police: Fatal shooting in back of patrol car a suicide

Chavis Carter died July 28 from a gunshot to the head, despite being handcuffed in the back of a patrol car

By Police1 Staff

JONESBORO, Ark. - Jonesboro Police Chief Mike Yates said Fri. that police believe the shooting death of a handcuffed man inside a patrol car is a suicide.

Chavis Carter of Southaven, Miss., died July 28 from a gunshot to the head, despite being handcuffed in the back of a patrol car and having been searched twice. He had been stopped for a traffic violation, when officers found that he had a warrant for his arrest in Mississippi.

Police also said they discovered a small .380 caliber Cobra semi-automatic firearm, as well as a spent shell casing.

According to KAIT 8, Yates said in an email that the investigation is still open, but that statements from the officers involved, witnesses and video and audio recordings are consistent. There is no indication that either officer involved in the stop fired his weapon.