Authorities in Woodruff County are investigating an early-morning officer-involved shooting that left a 45-year-old man dead on Sunday. The incident has prompted a formal investigation as officials work to determine exactly what happened during the confrontation between deputies and the man.
According to Arkansas State Police, the shooting occurred shortly before 4:15 a.m. on March 15, 2026. Deputies from the Woodruff County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported disturbance at a residence in the 1100 block of White Drive. Authorities said the deputies were assisting officers from the Augusta Police Department who were already responding to the situation at the home.
During the encounter, a deputy fired a weapon, striking 45-year-old Randy Ealy, a resident of Franklin. Officials said the shooting happened while law enforcement officers were handling the disturbance call. Emergency responders were called to the scene, but authorities confirmed that Ealy died there from his injuries before he could be transported to a hospital.
Investigators said Ealy’s body will be taken to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock, where a full autopsy will be conducted. The examination is expected to determine the official cause and manner of death. Autopsies are standard procedure in officer-involved shootings and help investigators gather important forensic evidence about what happened.
Because the shooting involved a law enforcement officer, the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division has been asked to lead the investigation. State police officials said their agents will carefully review all evidence related to the case. This process typically includes examining the scene, collecting physical evidence, reviewing body camera footage if available, and interviewing witnesses and the officers involved.
Once the investigation is completed, the findings will be turned over to the Woodruff County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors will then review the evidence to determine whether the deputy’s use of deadly force followed Arkansas law. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing, and more details may be released as officials continue working to understand the full circumstances surrounding the deadly encounter.
