Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas State Police are investigating the death of an Arkansas woman whose body was found after an officer-involved shooting in Missouri.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri asked the agency’s Criminal Investigation Division to get involved after authorities investigating the Sunday shooting said they believed the woman identified as Clara Braxton, 45, of Independence County, Arkansas, was killed in Arkansas.

Festus Police responded to reports of an active shooter at a restaurant in the St. Louis suburb. The suspect fled the scene in a Dodge Ram truck and officers from Festus and nearby Crystal City tried to stop the vehicle but it hit a concrete median, stopping in front of a shopping center.

The driver, identified as Jarrett W. Cousins, 40, of Bradford, Arkansas, got out of the vehicle wearing body armor and armed with multiple firearms, police said. Cousins fired his weapons and officers returned fire, hitting him. He was transported to a hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition, authorities said. No officers were injured.

Meanwhile, officers found Braxton’s body in the front passenger seat of Cousins’ truck. Her remains were sent to the Missouri Crime Lab to determine how she died.

The sheriff’s office said Cousins has been arrested and faces one count of first-degree assault or attempt-serious physical injury or special victim and one count of armed criminal action. He is being held without bond.

Arkansas State Police said the investigation into Braxton’s death is ongoing. Once complete, details will be turned over to the prosecutor in Independence County to determine charges, if any.

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