Suspects accused in Arkansas officer’s murder captured in Mississippi

Two suspects accused in the murder of an Arkansas police officer have been arrested in Mississippi. 

Officer Travis C. Wallace was shot and killed during a shootout on U.S. Highway 49 in Helena – West Helena, Arkansas around 6 p.m. Thursday night. The suspects, 29-year-old Latarius Quayshun Howard and 24-year-old Bruce Hillie fled the scene before being captured in Mississippi early this morning. 

Howard, the suspected gunman, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Shaw, Mississippi and Hillie, the alleged getaway driver, was arrested in Indianola. According to the Arkansas State Police, Howard faces a capital murder charge and Hillie is charged with hindering apprehension. Both are being held in the Sunflower County Jail and will be extradited back to Arkansas. 

The ASP stated that Wallace was wanted on charges related to a shooting in the area that occurred last week. The agency provided the following information on the shootout between Howard and the officers. 

“Howard was spotted by Officer Wallace riding in a sport utility vehicle about exit the motel parking lot and turn onto U.S. Highway 49.  The officer used his patrol car to block the truck’s exit, at which time Howard exited the vehicle and reportedly began advancing on the officer while firing a gun.  Officer Wallace returned fire, however there has been no report that Howard was injured.  After wounding Officer Wallace, Howard and the driver, believed to be Hillie, then fled from the crime scene.”

Officer Wallace died at a local hospital later that night. 

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