North Little Rock Police Department officer faces charges after shooting

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – North Little Rock police officials said charges will be filed against an officer after investigators say he fired shots into an occupied car while pursuing a suspect who fled a traffic stop.

NLRPD officials said in a news release Monday that Officer Jesse Gossage resigned earlier in the day following an investigation into the July 19 incident.

Department investigators said Gossage stopped a car with an expired license plate traveling in the area of ​​Buckeye Street and East Washington Avenue at 12:14 a.m. on July 19. Investigators said the driver pulled over to the side of the road, quickly exited the car with a small dark object in his hand and ran away from the vehicle.

Authorities said Gossage then fired in the direction of the fleeing suspect, with several shots hitting an occupied car that was not involved in the traffic stop. Additional officers then arrived at the scene to search for the suspect but were unable to locate him.

According to police, there were no injuries caused by the officer’s shots.

Officials said investigators then began an investigation and later determined that Gossage had violated NLRPD policies regarding response to resistance and use of deadly force. Details of the investigation were shared with the Pulaski County District Attorney’s Office, which, after consulting with NLRPD, decided to file charges.

Authorities said Gossage was arrested Monday after his surrender. He now faces charges of attempted assault and first-degree assault.

In the press release, NLRPD Chief Patrick Thessing made a statement about the incident and the subsequent investigation.

“The North Little Rock Police Department is committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct and integrity by its officers,” Thessing said. “When those standards are not met, it is our duty to act decisively and in the best interest of our community. We are committed to maintaining transparency and accountability and to taking all necessary steps to resolve the issue and maintain the public’s trust in us.”

NLRPD officials said Gossage had been employed by the department for nearly four years.