Bryant Officers responded to a pharmacy alarm last night at Fred's on Highway 5 around[more] 11 p.m. While checking the area, Officer Scott Johnson found an armed suspect in the fenced in area on the west end of the building.
When Officer Johnson confronted the suspect, a short gun fight took place, resulting in Officer Johnson being hit multiple times and the suspect being killed. Officer Johnson was treated and released from the hospital early this morning and is expected to make a full recovery.
The suspect, Thomas O’Dell (41) W/M, was transported to the Saline Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Thomas O’Dell was from Mattoon, Ill., where he was wanted for Aggravated Robbery and 1St Degree Murder. There are also reports that O’Dell had stolen two vehicles, one in Springfield, Mo., and the other in Mansfield, Mo., just this past week. One of those vehicle thefts was at gunpoint.
The shooting investigation is being conducted by the Arkansas State Police.
