FORT SMITH, Ark. — A man police say was a fugitive from Indiana was shot by Fort Smith police officers Wednesday night while they were trying to arrest him, officials said.
According to the Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD), officers were attempting to serve a felony warrant on Michael Lee Fairburn at 8:22 p.m. when he reportedly "brandished a knife as officers tried to take him into custody, and threatened to kill the officers."
An eyewitness told 5NEWS that Fairburn would regularly visit a local business and threaten customers with knives. The witness said at one point Fairburn "ended up hitting [somebody] with a machete."
Police said they tried to subdue Fairburn with a Taser but were unsuccessful. It was then Fairburn "assaulted one of the officers with a knife," and he was shot by officers in response "to protect their lives," FSPD said in the statement. Fairburn was transported to a nearby hospital where police say his condition is currently unknown.
Fort Smith police described Fairburn as an Indiana fugitive and a violent sex offender. Officers reportedly acted on his arrest after he'd been seen several times near Midland and Riverfront Drive. The shooting happened in a wooded area near Shamrock Liquor Warehouse off Midland Boulevard.
According to Arkansas State Police, Fairburn is expected to survive after undergoing surgery at UAMS in Little Rock on Thursday.
None of the officers were seriously injured during the incident, FSPD said.
Arkansas State Police will lead an investigation into the shooting and the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave until the investigation is concluded. Fort Smith police said they'll have their own internal investigation into the shooting.
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