A shooting on Spring St. at about 10 p.m., Friday, March 1, left one man dead, according to Eureka Springs Police Chief Billy Floyd. Three downtown cams did not video an altercation, to which police were called, due to their locations.
Arkansas State Police released a statement on March 2 saying that Christopher Vanschoick, 36, brandished a handgun during an altercation in the Rowdy Beaver Den Friday night. When two ESPD officers arrived they observed Vanschoick sitting in his vehicle on the street.
They confronted Vanschoick and a struggle ensued. Vanschoick produced a handgun and one of the officers fired his weapon, striking Vanschoick, who was pronounced dead by the Carroll County coroner. His body was transferred to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to determine the cause and manner of death.
ASP will present an investigative case file to the prosecuting attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law.
This is the first fatal shooting on Spring St. since three gunmen were killed in a botched bank robbery on September 27, 1922.
Editor’s Note: Updated Saturday, March 2 at 1:22 p.m.