A Little Rock man is behind bars after Fayetteville police say he choked and assaulted an officer near Dickson Street on New Year’s Eve.
Khiry Morris, 22, was arrested early Wednesday morning on suspicion of aggravated assault, second-degree battery and possession of fraudulent identification. He also had an active warrant on suspicion of aggravated robbery out of Little Rock, police said.
He remained Wednesday afternoon in the Washington County Detention Center, where he was being held for another agency, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. His arraignment is set for Jan. 31 in Washington County Circuit Court.
A Fayetteville officer responded to Z330 Bar near the intersection of West Avenue and Watson Street, in response to a physical disturbance call. He saw several people fighting inside the establishment.
While attempting to separate two people, the officer felt someone grab him around the waist and the throat, he later reported. The officer pushed the man to a nearby fence for leverage, at which point the suspect wrapped both hands around the officer’s throat, according to a preliminary report from the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office.
The officer said he was unable to breathe at the time, as the suspect allegedly attempted to force him to the ground. The officer broke free from Morris’ grasp and handcuffed him, according to Fayetteville police.
While transporting Morris to the Washington County Detention Center, police noticed the suspect had an active warrant out of Little Rock on suspicion of aggravated robbery, the preliminary report states.
