Muskogee Man Shot, Killed By Off-Duty Arkansas Deputy

A Muskogee man is dead after being shot by an off-duty Fort Smith Arkansas deputy.

Investigators said it all started Saturday afternoon when 23-year-old Justin Higgins fired his gun at officers who were responding to a domestic dispute.

According to police, Higgins took off, carjacked a vehicle and drove to a nearby neighborhood where he tried to steal another truck.

That truck, investigators said, belonged to an off-duty deputy who then shot and killed Higgins.

“Not only had he jeopardized lives of civilians but also engaged in gunfight with officers,” Sebastian County (Arkansas) Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck said. “He became fearful for his family. His small children were in that vehicle and suspect tried to hijack vehicle while children were inside.”

The sheriff's office said the deputy will be on routine paid suspension during the investigation.