Audio, video of fatal Little Rock police shooting released
Little Rock police have released and audio recordings that detail the moments before an officer fatally shot a 28-year-old man as he sped toward a brick wall last fall.
The recordings reveal new information in the October death of James Hartsfield, who was shot by Little Rock officer Brittany Gunn before the 2004 Mercedes-Benz he was driving smashed through a brick wall outside the Prospect Building at 1501 N. University Ave.
Police said Gunn was working off-duty in the early hours of Oct. 7 when she encountered Hartsfield, who appeared to be drinking an alcoholic beverage while driving. According to the department, Hartsfield refused to follow Gunn's orders, struggled with officers and then sped forward with Gunn still inside the car.
Dashboard camera shows the struggle before the shooting and the immediate aftermath of the car crash.
One shows officer Nicholas Smith running to assist Gunn as she struggles with Hartsfield inside the Mercedes-Benz.
"What part of that don't you f**king understand?" she says to Hartsfield as Smith gets to the vehicle.