Prosecutor: Shooting of constable ‘justified’

Gunman, 29, will face a misdemeanor

— A man won’t face felony charges in the Jan. 11 shooting death of Jefferson County Constable Tommy Holcomb, Prosecuting Attorney Kyle Hunter said late Thursday afternoon.

But Edward Blundell, 29, will face a misdemeanor charge for not having a gun permit.

Holcomb, 60, the brother of Jefferson County Judge Mike Holcomb, died Jan. 11 at the Speedway gas station at 3700 Camden Road after an argument and shootout with Edward Blundell.

Tommy Holcomb drew his weapon first and was shot by Blundell, Hunter said. Holcomb then returned fire, striking Blundell’s chest.

Hunter said in a news release that after an exhaustive investigation, “I have concluded that Edward Blundell was justified in his action under Arkansas law in that he was reasonable in believing that deadly force was about to be used against him... .”

Hunter also noted that Holcomb “was not committing any crimes at the time of his death, and his error was simply that he failed to communicate the fact that he was a law enforcement officer. He was in plain clothes, and his badge was in his pocket.”

The incident began after a car driven by Blundell’s wife and Holcomb’s vehicle nearly collided on the gas-station parking lot, Hunter said.

Blundell, 29, and Holcomb then began arguing outside their vehicles.

“Mr. Blundell made Mr. Holcomb aware that he had a gun as he got back into the front passenger seat of his car and closed the door,” Hunter said in the news release.

Holcomb then approached the passenger window of Blundell’s car with a gun in his hand, Hunter said.

“While Mr. Holcomb was at the window of the car, Mr. Blundell fired at Mr. Holcomb, and Mr. Holcomb returned fire,” Hunter said. “Mr. Holcomb was killed, and Mr. Blundell was hit by a bullet that did not penetrate his chest.”

Blundell is being charged with a Class A misdemeanor because he did not have a license to carry a handgun, the news release said. The charge carries a possible sentence of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Mike Holcomb said Thursday that he didn’t want to comment on the prosecutor’s findings and instead focused on his family’s loss.

“It was a horrible thing that happened to our family,” the county judge said. “We are just hurting. That’s about all I want to say.”

Hunter called Holcomb’s death a “tragedy.”

“It is a horrible loss,” Hunter said. “Not only to his family, but to the entire community. We in law enforcement are thankful for his many years of service.”

Arkansas, Pages 9 on 03/02/2012

Upcoming Events