By Police1 Staff
ROGERS, Ark. — Benton County deputies were found to be legally justified Tuesday in their use of force after a suspect’s brazen attack, KFSM reported.
The incident occurred during an April 23 sting operation in a Wal-Mart parking lot and led to the arrest of suspect, Jose Luis Centeno, Jr. The suspect was shot after hitting Officer Matthew Nading with a car, prosecuting attorney Nathan Smith told the news site.
“It is kind of is amazing that no one was actually hurt in this incident,” Smith said. “But nevertheless [the deputies] were justified in using deadly force because when he struck Officer Nading with his vehicle, that is deadly force and he easily could have killed that police officer.”
Seven officers were deployed in the operation and requested to buy methamphetamine from Centeno. Officers blocked the suspect’s car and attempted to arrest him when he tried to flee.
He rammed his vehicle into a patrol truck, which struck an officer. The suspect then headed straight for a deputy, ramming into him and causing him to be flipped over the car’s hood.
Officers fired shots at the suspect and arrested him about two miles away after he spun out.
Centeno was charged with attempted capital murder, aggravated assault, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, fleeing in a vehicle and tampering with physical evidence, according to the affidavit.