Sebastian county officials have released bodycam video from an encounter that could have been deadly.
Law enforcement says they went to a man’s house to question him about a dog shooting, and within seconds they were staring down the barrel of his gun.
On October 13, around 8:00 p.m., two Sebastian County deputies and one Mansfield police officer went to Bruce Sampson’s home in Hartford.
Officials say when they asked Sampson to make his hands visible, he swung open his screen door with a gun in hand.
After being ordered to drop his gun, Sampson ran into his house yelling at law enforcement to get off of his property.
Police then retreated with no shots fired, the next day warrants were issued for Sampson’s arrest, and he was picked up without incident on October 18.
“That’s such a serious decision to say ‘I’m going to take someone’s life’. Once you fire that bullet there’s no retrieving it, but they made a great restraintful decision and no one got hurt, and Mr. Sampson is now facing his day in court,” said Lt. Philip Pevehouse with the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office.
After a search of Sampson’s home, police found 5 guns and ammunition.
He is being held in Sebastian County on a $12,000 bond and faces multiple charges including 3 counts of aggravated assault against law enforcement.
