The Sixth Judicial Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has concluded that the use of deadly force by officers was justified in a March shooting that resulted in the death of a Jacksonville man.
Willie Joe Larry-Purdiman, 23, of Jacksonville, died in the incident, which occurred on March 24, 2025, in the 7900 block of Baseline Road in Little Rock.
Officers with a U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern Arkansas task force attempted to arrest Larry-Purdiman for multiple outstanding felony warrants out of Pulaski County. As task force officers attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by Larry-Purdiman, he exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Larry-Purdiman opened fire on officers as he fled, and officers returned fire. He succumbed to injuries behind a business across Baseline Road…