I'm Conway Mayor Bart Calsbury. Joining me today is Conway Police Chief William Tapley. In the city of Conway, we are committed to transparency and openness. With that in mind, Chief Tapley is going to share with you the details of an incident that that happened earlier in Conway this year. Chief Tapley. Unfortunately, we're here to talk about an incident that happened in our city February 4th of this year that resulted in the untimely death of 39-year-old Lionel Morris. We, as the Conway Police Department and the City of Conway, offer our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to the Morris family. The loss of a loved one is difficult no matter the circumstances. Before I get into the details of what occurred and the findings of the investigation, I would like to thank the Arkansas State Police and the 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney's Office for their commitment and effort in conducting an independent investigation into the facts of this incident. At 4:25 p.m. on February 4th, Conway police received a call about a shoplifting in progress at HARP's grocery store on East German Lane. On arrival, officers made contact with two people who were identified by store employees as the shoplifting suspects. After the concealed merchandise was located, officers proceeded to ask both of them to place their hands behind their back. The woman, Brandy Arnold, was placed under arrest while the man, later identified as Lionel Morris, ran from officers to avoid being taken into custody. Officers caught Morris inside the store and a struggle ensued that lasted approximately 6 and 1/2 minutes. >> Got you. Got you. >> Help me. Help me. Help me. Help me. They're beating me up. to be up. Beat up. Beat up. You got to do >> both of them. >> Okay. >> Okay. Brandy. >> Ma'am. >> Put your hands behind your back >> to what? >> Uh, shop. >> I haven't stolen anything. >> Yeah, you took a thing out of a box. Just put your Put your hands behind your back. Put it back. Put your hands back. >> I got it. Put your hands on your back. >> Ma'am, I didn't steal anything. Ma'am, I don't understand. Put your hands on your back. >> Okay. I didn't do anything. Ma'am, >> your boyfriend just ran. >> Okay, but it's not my fault. Ma'am, please. >> I don't Can I smoke a cigarette first? >> No. >> I don't know why I'm being arrested >> for shoplifting. >> I have not stolen anything, >> ma'am. I have not stolen my purse. >> I got your purse. We're leaving. I haven't stolen anything, ma'am. I have not stolen anything, ma'am. I have money. I have not stolen anything from y'all. Y'all don't get it. >> Ma'am, I have not stolen anything. I swear to God, I didn't steal anything. I don't understand what's going on. Ma'am, I have not stolen anything. I just come out of jail. I have not stolen anything. Please, baby. Okay, I smoke a cigarette first. >> No, >> wait, ma'am. I'll go to hell if I'm hoping. No, you don't understand. I just can't be able to see my son. >> Okay. >> Maybe we should hang out with better people. >> Oh, God. No, you don't understand. I have not stolen anything. Did I have anything on me? >> No, but your boyfriend just ran and this is a really sketchy situation. >> What did you got nothing to do with me? >> Get in the car. We'll figure it out. I don't understand. I have a difficulty. >> Get in. I'm trying. I'm trying. >> I don't know what's going on. Please >> move your head. >> I don't >> One thing I got to do. One thing. One thing. One thing. One thing. >> During the struggle, officers instructed Morris to submit to arrest nearly 40 times. >> Put your hands behind your back. >> Please, sir. >> Please, sir. Please. >> Stay back. No, no, no. >> Get one more chance. Put him behind the ground. Okay. >> Officers tased Mr. Morris multiple times during the struggle in an attempt to gain control. Do it. Do it now. [Music] >> During the incident, Moore said he was in medical distress while continuing to fight for several minutes. [Music] >> My heart again. >> My heart again. >> Get down. >> My heart. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Help me. Please. Help me. Please. Somebody help me. >> At one point, Morris reached for a knife clipped to his pocket. >> As the struggle continued, Morris dragged one of the officers to the ground, positioned himself on top of the officer, and placed the officer in a choke hole. Instead of using deadly force, the officer grabbed the knife and drew it from the immediate area. >> Approximately 5 minutes into the struggle, more officers arrived on scene and were eventually able to subdue Morris and place him in >> here. A call for emergency medical services was made by officers before handcuffs were secured. >> Hey, where's he? >> I'm going to get men around [Music] [Applause] [Music] Conway. Get me in. Stop. Stop moving. >> Anybody else missing a >> You can talk. Stop. >> Stop moving. Stop moving. >> Did you already talk? You can breathe. We got We got an ambulance. [Music] No, you're all right. >> It's on the back. >> Yeah. [Music] >> Yeah, that was there. >> Whoever says that was, I told him to turn it off right there. My hands right there. Turn it off. [Music] Don't move. >> I said don't move. >> Put your head down and be still. >> You understand that? >> Put your head back on the floor and straighten your leg out. >> Stop moving. >> Put your head down and be still. >> Okay. >> I think I might. >> Hand sanitizer. >> Hand sanitizer. >> Hand sanitizer. >> Get some hand sanitizer, >> sir. [Music] I can't breathe. [Music] >> Help. >> Hold on. Where are they? Where are they? >> Yeah, he's >> 105 Brandy. I'm not being held responsible for help. What? >> Is that your boyfriend? What is that to you? You got anybody? >> Are they still fighting? >> You damn fool. Now you going to get them paid. They get paid to get here. Then when he go to jail, they get paid for holding there every day. He gets away. They get some money every day for every day he in there. >> Yeah. >> Damn fool. He g away. I haven't stolen anything. I swear to you. But I have not stolen anything. >> Then what did you have the drone taken out of the box? >> I have that drone. Ma'am, I was grocery shopping. >> Ma'am, I can't afford to go to jail. I just got to see my son. You understand? >> Oh my god. >> Am I really being arrested? >> Yes. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Ma'am, >> what? >> I have not stolen anything. >> I have not I don't understand anything. [Laughter] It's in the produce section. Go in this door. >> Go in this door. >> What? >> What? >> They make it out. No, they're still in the produce section. >> Produce section. [Music] >> I have not stolen anything. >> Produce section. She >> They're in the produce section. the man of this place. I must not do anything. I gave my stuff. >> Your boyfriend is in there fighting. I'm listening to the radio to make sure they're not hurt. >> Shut up. >> It's not me. What the hell? A produce section in here. >> Where? >> The produce section. I don't know why he's here. I have like >> Yeah. Um you are you going to go in there and do your men's thing? >> Yeah. She needs something good. >> Yeah, I'm just going to stay in here in the rain with her. >> I would love to be okay now. >> I honestly don't know. I've been out here with you the entire time. >> Well, I have not stolen anything. You just kept me. You kept my I don't have anything. Is he okay? Hey, I got the chicken order. Okay. What I do is I got chicken. Dad, >> where? Oh, I thought you had your vehicle. Are you okay? >> Yeah. >> Is he? He fell down. I don't care. Um, do you mind sitting with her so I can go in and get the shoplifting stuff so I can take her cuz she's being real annoying? >> Yeah. Take this in there with you if you're going over there where they are. Everybody's covered in blood. There's blood everywhere. >> Okay. Do you need my keys? I only have a woman named Ed. Ready? [Music] >> Last name Mary Edward Tom Ocean Young Edward Robert. First name Jason Thomas. Date of birth 1984 0816. Should be a black male. [Music] Where? Where's Chelsea? >> Um, >> is she over here? >> Okay. >> Exciting. Yeah, I miss all the excitement, but it's cool. It's fine. Hallelujah. >> 0816. [Music] >> At least you finally got to a >> fight. Yeah. >> Oh, I just >> somebody out there with >> Mhm. I just need the shelf lifting stuff so I can go ahead and take her cuz she >> currently doing right now. >> Here, I'll I'll take you to She's being real annoying. >> No, I people in the parking lot. Fantastic. I don't know if he was the one that was going to open it up. >> Is there Where's the butter? Is it over there? >> Butter is going to be under that dairy sign against that back wall. >> People are still coming in here. I'm I'm just saying if I saw this, I would leave. >> See, that's what I That's what I Tyler, will you get on your register, please? Uh, don't put me the one bring Okay, go ahead. That's who 554 is in custody with. Okay. So, it >> uh all all I heard was bring it up and cash it out. [Music] >> Here you want. >> Okay. [Music] >> I think so. If we do go from the pharmacy. >> Awesome. Can you get those confirmed to just send Bry's and his to our emails, please? [Music] >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> 104. I didn't get a good look at him. [Music] two of these. >> Just lying it open. >> Uh he can get you down on number three. >> Does it look open? >> You would. >> Does it look open? You know, people are so great. [Music] >> 104. Let's go. [Music] >> How do you want to price the catfish? >> Go ahead. Is there? >> Uh, not that I can tell. >> 104. She's in custody as well. >> Uh, I'm not 100% sure. Do you want me to go see if I can get a price check on a one piece of >> I'll be right back. [Music] >> 104. Just send her return. along with the report number and times 104 104 >> they are over there sorry I'm doing something I'll put that. >> Oh, you gave her the discounts. There's >> And then did you get the drinks? >> Uh yeah. >> Yes. Thank you. And whenever she gets a chance, just some camera footage. She's kind of busy right now. >> Okay. I'm sure they used to put him on a disc and stuff. So, >> yeah. Okay, I'll let >> So, that's not his name. He lied to you. >> Sure. >> Are you okay? >> I need water. >> Do you have water? Water? They have fountains over here. >> We do have a water fountain down by the >> I just went to the bathroom. >> Are you okay? >> Do you need some hand sanitizer? bulk here. >> There's two fights in a row. >> Come to your freaking area. >> What? Right down the road from each other. Um, so he has like um he lied to you about his name. >> Good. >> Yes. Go ahead. I think >> I got tased like three times. A bottle. >> What if that is you, too? take care of him or whatever. >> Uh I figured cure would, but I can't cuz this cure's kind of beat up. >> Okay. Uh just just this is just as fun. So >> grab this isn't broken. >> I'm going to have to get a >> They have a bathroom in there, dude. Maybe >> if you want to wash up real good. I can wait. Whatever. You want this? Oh, you have clothes on. >> Oh, look at you. >> Yeah. >> Do you want this? You keep grabbing for it, dude. >> I'm ready to wash up. >> Are you going to wait for her? Mhm. >> Okay. I'm going to go in there, then straight. They're all flustered and [ __ ] to do it. >> What? What happened? >> CPR. >> Is he okay? >> Guess not. >> I'm not sure. He was fine. I left him. He was breathing and stuff. Do >> you want both? I think I don't know why he's both. Do you want me to hold it? Oh, the treasure. You got enough groceries? You got enough groceries? >> Okay. >> I know you've been in here 3,000. I've been here. So, what's going on with him? >> Are you good? >> Well, we're going to be here for a little bit cuz we've got to work in here before we transport. >> Where's he going? >> Hey. Um All right. Go ahead. I'm going to go ahead and take her. >> Okay. Yes. >> Hey Bird, can you move your car? >> And I'm going to go take her. >> Yeah, I'll loosen him up because people are trying to get into crime scene. He's not breathing. So we have to get it taped off. >> Okay. Do you need some tape? >> No, he's got some. >> Hey, can you stand here for a second? >> Yeah. >> All right, turn around. >> Hey, listen. >> Your boyfriend or whatever he is. Okay, he's coding right now. Okay. Did he have anything on him? What? What did he swallow? We need to know cuz we need to do What do >> you mean? What did he swallow? >> Did he swallow anything? >> Did you take anything? >> I don't know. Listen, you're at this at this point, I'm not going to charge you with any sort. Listen, stop and listen to me, okay? Can you step out of the vehicle? I haven't searched her. I just th >> Have you guys taken any sort of drug or narcotic? And by by no means listen first. >> You are not being charged with any sort of drug. >> I don't know of anything that he would have taken as my freak out. >> What sort of Get out here. Why I talk to you? You step out. >> Okay. What sort of drugs have you taken past week? Oh, I don't have anything. >> Ma'am, I'm gone. >> What sort of drugs has he taken in the past? >> We know that he uses drugs. >> I don't I really don't know. >> Okay, I'm going to loosen up your cuffs. Okay. >> Have y'all take anything in the past week? >> Oh, I don't pop pills. That's what I want. >> You pop pills? >> Okay. What kind of pills have have y'all popped? >> I don't pop pills. I don't know what he does. >> How long have y'all been dating? >> I'm trying to save his life. Work with me here. Okay. You're not in trouble. >> I don't know. That's why I'm That's why I'm freaking the [ __ ] out, dude. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know what he took. >> Okay. >> I don't I honestly don't know. >> Do you know of any history that can help the hospital? >> I can fit a finger in. Sit in there. >> Okay. >> Go ahead and sit in. Is there anything that you can tell us about his past medical history, whether it's recreational or illegal narcotics, that can help the hospital watch and save his life? Whatever. >> I need you, sir. >> I understand what you're saying. >> What? >> I don't know what he took and I don't know how he took Okay. >> He hasn't had anything. >> What was he taking in the past? >> He hasn't had anything. >> I'm not asking him. Was he taking in the past? You're not working. >> He smoked marijuana. He like um uh he used to take uh uh morphine I think >> he used to take morphine >> I think. >> Okay. >> I think it's morphine. >> It's blue. Is it a pill? >> Yeah. >> It's a pill. Okay. Did you see him need those pills today since he got out of jail? >> When was that? August 22nd, 2019. >> Okay. He hasn't taken anything. >> Focus. Okay. Other than the morphin that he's he's taken in the past, what otherbody? >> Yeah. Thank you. You're the best. I want you left him out. Okay. So, I'm just trying to make sure. >> I can't I can't see what he has. >> What is he known for? Just ask for >> this isn't being used against you. >> I understand that. Just ask the morphin. What else did you need for the pack? >> Just the morphin. How much did you take? How much? >> No, I don't know. I don't know. >> So, marijuana and morph. >> Hey, Vince, you're not getting anything out of her, >> huh? >> Um, he has >> your foot. They won't send it to me, so I can't tell you what. But she's saying the same thing. >> What? >> Okay, I'm leaving. >> You're great. Thanks. You're welcome. [Music] I really don't know what's going on. >> 10:15 in route to unit 2. Mileage when you're ready. >> 78831. Okay. >> Ma'am. >> Yes. This is so what's going to happen >> to you? >> To me. I have >> um I mean you'll get >> I will take I will take that to court. I have not stolen anything. >> Okay. Well, shoplifting is concealing items, and y'all concealed the drone. So, >> I didn't conceal anything. I wasn't even pushing the cart. You can watch the cameras. I didn't take anything. I gave you my purse. Willy. I gave you everything. Wait. [Music] Is he going to be okay? >> I don't know. Did he have torches? >> Um, I don't know. [Music] We're having a dinner going. Can you send me an email with my time report number and my ticket uh her return? I've got everything called that I just had everybody on currently. Do you know we're going to need more than one port number for? I have no idea. I dropped that one and a quarter in there. If I need a second one, we'll figure it out later. >> Okay. What >> What happened to him? >> Um um where was I at during that? >> Okay, but you have left me since then. You have seen him? >> I have. I saw him when he got put in the ambulance. I was too busy trying to deal with shoplifting. You choose to do what? >> Dealing with your shoplifting. >> I have money to pay for everything. I was not stealing. >> Ma'am, I really wasn't stealing. I really wasn't stealing, man. Is he okay? >> Um, I don't know. >> Uh, Officer Vince told you that they were doing CPR in the back of the ambulance. >> CPR? >> Yeah. >> Are you kidding me? >> That's why he was asking you if he had taken it. No, it doesn't mean he's dead. What? See? Prior to medical personnel arriving, Morris was placed in a recovery position and began receiving treatment for injuries he sustained during the struggle. medical professionals arrived and took over care and treatment. >> Oh yeah. >> Unfortunately, Mr. Morris passed away during transport to the hospital. >> At the request of the Conway Police Department, Arkansas State Police responded to the scene and started an independent investigation into the incident. This investigation ultimately took several months, interviewed multiple witnesses, reviewed all videos and audio from both HARPS and the Conway Police Department, and encompassed the state medical examiner's report. The autopsy and toxicology report determined that Mr. Morris was positive for several drugs, including methamphetamine and morphine. The level of drugs in Mr. Morris's system and the strain he exerted while struggling with the police ultimately contributed to his death. The Arkansas State Police turned over their entire file, including the medical examiner's report, to the 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney. After a thorough review, the prosecutor determined there was no evidence of any criminal wrongdoing by the Conway Police Department or the Conway Police officers involved in this unfortunate incident. Now that the independent investigation is determined that officers did not cause Mr. Morris's death, an internal professional standards investigation will proceed in order to further review details of the case and to determine whether there were any policy or rule violations. People may view aspects of this incident and be disturbed or uncomfortable. I understand use of force in any situation is uncomfortable and should always be analyzed to determine if things can be improved upon. In reviewing this incident, I recognize that there are things as a police department we can do better, and these are things that we will do better. In closing, I once again would like to express our sympathies to the Morris family and all others impacted by this unfortunate incident.