Brandon Poulter Obituary, Death; Arkansas State Police name man fatally shot in exchange with Fayetteville officers.

Brandon Poulter Obituary, Death – Arkansas State Police have released the identity of the man involved in a fatal shootout with Fayetteville police officers over the weekend. In a statement issued by ASP, officials confirmed that 42-year-old Brandon Poulter of Fayetteville was the individual who exchanged gunfire with officers on Sunday. The incident took place at The Cliffs Apartment Complex on North Garnet Court and is now under investigation by ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) at the request of the Fayetteville Police Department.
The confrontation began shortly after noon when Fayetteville officers responded to reports of gunfire at the apartment complex. According to authorities, while officers attempted to make contact with individuals inside one of the units, shots were fired from within the apartment. Poulter allegedly directed gunfire toward officers outside.
Police said the situation quickly escalated as Poulter continued to fire multiple rounds, even targeting an armored vehicle positioned at the scene. Officers returned fire in response, striking him.
After the exchange, officers entered the apartment, where Poulter was found dead. His body will be transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy to confirm the official cause and manner of death.
Officials emphasized that no law enforcement personnel were injured during the gunfire. The outcome could have been much worse, police noted, given the number of shots fired in the residential area.
As standard procedure in officer-involved shootings, two separate investigations are now underway. Fayetteville Police Department will carry out an internal review to determine whether departmental policies and protocols were properly followed during the confrontation. At the same time, special agents with the Arkansas State Police CID will conduct a comprehensive criminal investigation into the incident itself.
Upon completion of the state police inquiry, the findings will be submitted to the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecutor will then evaluate whether the officers’ use of deadly force aligned with Arkansas law.
The case underscores the high-risk situations officers face when responding to reports of gunfire. Law enforcement agencies noted that swift action and the use of protective equipment, such as armored vehicles, helped prevent injuries to officers and potentially nearby residents.
For now, the focus remains on gathering all available evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the shootout. Investigators will review body camera footage, interview witnesses, and examine ballistic evidence as part of their ongoing work.
While the incident has closed with the death of the suspect, officials say the investigations are critical for transparency and accountability. They also serve to provide answers to the public and the family of the deceased about what occurred inside the apartment that day.
The deadly exchange has added to broader conversations about police-involved shootings in Arkansas and how such cases are reviewed. Authorities reiterated that a thorough and independent investigation will ensure clarity and compliance with legal standards.