On October 30, officers from the Crossett Police Department (CPD) responded to a report of an armed suspect holding a 16‑year‑old girl hostage in the 400 block of North Louisiana Street. The suspect, identified as 56‑year‑old Joe Washington Jr., had allegedly restrained the girl, forced her into a vehicle, assaulted her for several hours, and then placed her in the trunk before she escaped by forcing the trunk open and jumping from the moving car.
CPD quickly established a perimeter and began negotiations, but Washington threatened to fire if officers did not retreat. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, CPD requested assistance from the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. The SWAT unit took command of the scene, entered the residence, and located the girl.
Girl rescued, suspect critically wounded
The teenager was safely escorted out of the home without life‑threatening injuries, though she bore visible marks from the assault. Washington was found inside the residence with a self‑inflicted gunshot wound. He was airlifted to a Little Rock hospital, where he was pronounced dead on November 5.
ASP Colonel Mike Hagar praised the joint effort, stating, “Our SWAT team has answered the call more than 210 times in the last year alone in support of our local law‑enforcement partners. Before we were able to stand up a full‑time SWAT team a few years ago, we were handling an average of 10 annual activations. Now, we’re able to better serve local agencies in need of our specialized personnel and equipment. I’m so proud of our Troopers for bringing this brave girl to safety.”
The suspect’s body was transferred to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for a formal determination of cause and manner of death. Authorities have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing, and no further details are being released at this time.
This successful resolution underscores the importance of state‑level tactical resources working hand‑in‑hand with local police to protect citizens, especially vulnerable children, from violent threats. The swift coordination between CPD and ASP SWAT demonstrates a commitment to public safety that aligns with the values of families and communities across Arkansas.
Original reporting: KATV Little Rock (local) — read the source article.
