Officer Riley Scruggs was dispatched to a fight involving weapons at the Kappa Alpha (KA) fraternity. Upon arrival, officers Braxton Morefield and Scruggs approached the scene and were told by individuals on scene that the person with a firearm, later identified as Kemauree Keentae Henry, was east toward the back of the house.

As we approached a large crowd, Scruggs saw Suspect Two lunge toward Victim Four and a fight ensued. Morefield and Scruggs attempted to separate the parties and Scruggs drew his taser. Morefield took Suspect Two to the ground and began giving verbal commands. 

Suspect Two refused to follow commands and remained on his back while refusing to give his hands to be handcuffed. Scruggs covered Morefield with the taser, which was aimed at Suspect Two, until Victim Four and other individuals began approaching. 

Unsure if this was a subject that was armed or not, sergeant Jeremy Oswalt withdrew his department issued firearm when he arrived on scene. Upon the officers getting Arrestee Two into custody, Oswalt re-holstered his firearm without further incident.

Oswalt asked Arrestee Two if he knew of anyone having a gun during the altercation, to which he replied “No.” After Arrestee Two was in custody, he requested to be seen by medical personnel for injuries he sustained in the altercation before our arrival. 

While Oswalt was speaking with Morefield, Jonesboro Police Department had arrived on scene. 

It was at this time, Oswalt noticed several Jonesboro Police officers have a subject, later identified as Arrestee One against a vehicle and placing him into handcuffs. They told me Arrestee One matched the description of an individual that was given to them by their 911 dispatcher as being involved in the altercation. 

Arrestee One was extremely irate with Jonesboro Police so attempted to speak with him in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Arrestee One said he and his friends had traveled from

Newport because some females had invited them to come to the party that was occurring at KA. Henry said when they arrived, they were told they were not welcome because they were black. 

Henry said this is when they all began arguing and several unknown individuals attacked him and his friends. 

While speaking with Henry, Oswalt asked him if he knew of anyone having a gun, to which he replied that he had a gun. Henry also stated he has a concealed handgun permit and it was self-defense. 

Upon asking Henry where his gun was now located, he said he did not know. At this time, Oswalt instructed Scruggs and Stephen to place Henry into the back of a patrol unit. Oswalt was then approached by Victim One who identified Henry as the individual who pointed a gun at him.

Oswalt then contacted lieutenant Andrew Thrasher and explained to him the situation. After explaining the incident, they agreed to arrest Henry for aggravated assault, a Class D felony and arrest Arrestee Two for disorderly conduct. Both subjects would also be issued a ban for the entire Arkansas State University Campus.

At this time, Scruggs and Stephen transported Henry to Craighead County Detention Center.

Oswalt then transported Victim One to the University Police Department to obtain a formal recorded interview.

Morefield stood by with Arrestee Two, awaiting the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to render medical aid. Once EMS arrived on scene, Arrestee Two was transported to St. Bernard’s Medical Center. 

Oswalt told Morefield to issue a citation to Arrestee Two for Disorderly Conduct and to release him on his own recognizance.

Upon Oswalt’s arrival at the University Police Department, he conducted a recorded interview with Victim One in the interview room. Victim One said the altercation occurred over KA members telling Henry and his friends to leave their residence because they were not members of Kappa Alpha and they did not want them there. 

Victim One said when the altercation first started he was upstairs and witnessed it. Victim One said he then went downstairs to where the altercation was occurring and it was at this time Henry turned towards him, pointed a gun at him and said “Do you want to die?” 

Victim One described the gun as black, possibly a Glock 19x, with a flashlight mounted to it. After the recorded interview was complete, Oswalt also had Victim One write out a voluntary statement form.

No gun has currently been located and a University Referral for disorderly conduct was issued to Kappa Alpha.

Categories: Campus Crime, News