CONWAY, Ark. – A Conway police officer fired for her response to a deadly mass shooting at Fifth Avenue Park is appealing her termination, arguing she is being unfairly targeted despite years of decorated service.
Officer Brittany Byrd, who was terminated June 30, appeared before a review board Wednesday night as city officials outlined allegations that she failed to act with urgency during the April 13 shooting, when two people were killed and seven others were wounded.
Multiple 911 calls give witness insight into deadly mass shooting at Conway park
Police officials say Byrd was in her patrol SUV across the street when gunfire erupted shortly before 8 p.m. Investigators testified that she sat in a nearby parking lot for more than a minute, then drove away without activating her emergency lights, sirens or dash camera.
The city’s first witness, Lt. Tom Kennedy, testified that he launched an internal investigation the day after the shooting at the direction of Chief William Harris. He described it as a broad inquiry into the department’s overall response, not initially focused on any particular officer…