ASP IDENTIFIES FUGITIVE SUSPECT KILLED IN DEVALL’S BLUFF INCIDENT, INFORMS MEDIA

July 26, 2024

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – On Friday, July 26, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) Colonel Mike Hagar and U.S. Attorney Jonathon Ross updated the media on the latest developments related to a four-hour standoff that occurred on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in DeValls Bluff, resulting in the death of fugitive suspect Darrell Lawayne Esau II, 32, of Little Rock. (Watch Briefing HERE.)

The U.S. Marshals Service had been searching for Esau for over a year and a half. Esau was wanted on multiple warrants from Little Rock, Sherwood, and Pulaski County and was wanted by the Arkansas Division of Community Correction (ACC) as a fugitive. The warrants included multiple counts of first-degree assault, multiple counts of terroristic acts, possession of firearms by certain persons, aggravated residential burglary, and domestic violence. Esau had previously been convicted of manslaughter.

Agents from the ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) determined Esau’s whereabouts on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, which includes ASP personnel, and additional officers went to the DeValls Bluff address to arrest Esau around 9 a.m. Thursday. The suspect opened fire on the team when they arrived.

ASP’s SWAT, Crisis Negotiation, Tactical/Air Support, and Drone Teams were activated. ASP personnel made contact with Esau by phone and attempted to negotiate his surrender for over two and a half hours. Esau died after an exchange of gunfire with members of the ASP SWAT team.

Investigators have determined that Esau fired at least 169 rounds from six different weapons, including fully automatic and high-powered rifles, commonly referred to as “assault weapons.” More than 400 shots were exchanged between the suspect and police officers. The ASP Criminal Investigation Division will lead the investigation, the FBI will assist in preserving evidence, and the ATF will examine the weapons for further analysis.

“This is just another example of how local, state and federal partners work together to keep the citizens of Arkansas safe,” said ASP Director Col. Mike Hagar. “I want to take this opportunity to remind our citizens that we are YOUR Arkansas State Police. We want you to know that law enforcement operations are conducted daily in the most rural parts of Arkansas, including in a town like DeValls Bluff with a population of 500. We thank God that thanks to the joint effort, no innocent civilians or law enforcement officers were injured. Our sole mission is and will always be public safety. We are committed to the safety of our citizens and will always put your safety above our own.”

US Marshal Cory Harris, Deputy US Marshal Kevin Sanders (both for the Eastern District of Arkansas) and Special Agent Clayton Merrill of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives attended the briefing. Other assisting agencies included the Hazen Police Department, Prairie County Sheriff’s Office, Des Arc Police Department and ACC.