LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today responded to reports of a shooting Thursday morning that killed three people, including Lt. Kevin Mainhart of the Yell County Sheriff’s Department. The officer was shot and killed when he stopped a vehicle he believed was connected to a domestic disturbance call. Reports indicate that the shooter is now in custody.
According to Everytown research, Lt. Mainhart is at least the 68th police officer to be shot in the line of duty in the United States so far in 2017, and the 14th police officer to be shot and killed nationwide this year.
STATEMENT FROM AUSTIN BAILEY, VOLUNTEER CHAPTER LEADER WITH THE ARKANSAS CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“We are angry and heartbroken that once again a police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty. Although details are still unfolding, the shooting of Lt. Mainhart and at least two other individuals today reminds us that there is so much more we must do to keep our communities safe from gun violence. What happened this morning in Yell County happens far too often in our country. It is unconscionable that more than 90 Americans are killed and hundreds more are injured by gun violence every day. Our respected law enforcement officials repeatedly step up to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. It is time for our lawmakers to follow their lead, and work to protect all Arkansans from the threat of gun violence.”
