SHO-CKING SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE: Officer’s Gu-n-to-the-Head Arrest Sparks Outrage and New Questions
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — New surveillance video is providing another view of a controversial police encounter on August 9, in which a Little Rock police officer held a gun to the head of an unarmed man during a gas station arrest.
The video comes as community members continue to question how the Little Rock Police Department handled the call involving 23-year-old Gregory Williams.
The incident happened at a gas station on South University Avenue after an employee called police following a dispute between Williams and a store clerk.
According to the gas station’s co-owner, Nick Chowdhury, the clerk told him Williams became upset during an argument over a food item and allegedly threatened to return later and shoot him.
Police responded and detained Williams at gunpoint.
Surveillance video from inside the store shows Officer Thomas Shook entering the business with his gun drawn. Moments later, Williams is instructed to get on the ground.
The video then shows Williams lying face down as Shook holds his firearm to the back of Williams’ head.
Chowdhury said his employee was trying to avoid a confrontation by calling police and did not expect the situation to escalate.
“Our customers are our priority,” Chowdhury said. “So anybody felt unease all over it, over this incident. Anybody affected by it, we are extremely sorry for that, and we’re going to do everything on our part to give the videos or audios, whatever we can gather for law enforcement.” Chowdhury further said, “Our customers and our community are very important to us, and their safety and well-being is very important to us.”
Chowdhury said the business is willing to provide surveillance video and any available audio to law enforcement.
According to Chowdhury, the store’s surveillance system is experiencing audio problems. He said the business is attempting to resolve those issues and that additional audio could provide more information about what happened.
The new surveillance video has also fueled questions about Shook’s actions and the decision to enter the store with his weapon drawn.
Little Rock police confirmed Shook was placed on administrative leave while the department conducts an internal investigation.
The Little Rock NAACP has called for accountability, saying the community should not have to rely on a viral video or public outcry to prompt scrutiny of police conduct.
Chowdhury said the store clerk remains employed as the investigation into the police encounter remains ongoing.
To see a statement released by the Little Rock NAACP regarding the incident, please click here.
