On January 9, 2014, at approximately 10:30 AM, Jonesboro, Arkansas, police officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle near the Meadowview Trailer Park on Aggie Road. During their investigation, officers were approached by an individual who appeared to have been shot in the chest. This person was later identified as Michael Anthony Ware, a 35-year-old resident of Keiser, Arkansas. Ware informed the officers that he had been shot by the suspect involved in the vehicle theft.
As officers proceeded to investigate the incident, they located the suspect, later identified as Michael Anthony Ware, at trailer #33 within the trailer park. Upon approaching the residence, Ware opened the door and fired at Corporal John Eidson. In response, Corporal Eidson returned fire, striking Ware. Following the exchange of gunfire, Ware barricaded himself inside the trailer. Officers later discovered that two adults and four children were inside the trailer at the time of the shooting. The adults sustained injuries, possibly from gunfire, but it was unclear whether these injuries occurred before or after police arrived on the scene. The children were unharmed and were safely evacuated by SWAT officers.
After several hours of attempting to communicate with Ware, SWAT officers entered the trailer and found him deceased. The incident was classified as an officer-involved shooting, and the Arkansas State Police conducted an investigation into the events surrounding Ware's death. Corporal John Eidson was placed on paid administrative leave, a standard procedure in such cases.
No arrests were made in connection with this incident, as the events were determined to be a result of an officer-involved shooting during the course of law enforcement duties. The investigation concluded that the actions taken by the officers were justified under the circumstances.
