Arkansas State Police say man dies after gunfight

OSCEOLA, Ark. – Arkansas State Police say a man died following a gunfight with officers after he shot and killed a police dog.

In a statement, police say James Edward Blackmon of St. Louis died Tuesday morning at a hospital where he was transported after he was shot Monday evening near Osceola in eastern Arkansas.

The man had been pursued by Missouri law enforcement, though it was not immediately clear why.

Authorities say Blackmon ran when he was pulled over by Arkansas officers. According to state police, the man was pursued by a Mississippi County sheriff’s deputy, two state troopers and a police dog.

State police say the dog “made contact” with the man. Police say Blackmon fatally shot the dog before turning his gun on officers, who shot him.