3 dead, police officer stabbed in throat during attack on Arkansas street

FORT SMITH, Ark. (TCD) -- A violent attack on a residential street left three people dead and an officer in the hospital with stab wounds to his throat and neck.

According to Fort Smith Police Department Chief Danny Baker, on Sunday at approximately 6:20 a.m., someone called 911 saying they heard "yelling and screaming" on the street. When the caller came outside, they reportedly witnessed an adult "assaulting a person on the ground."

An officer responded to the scene on the corner of Tilles and Lectra streets within two minutes and 15 seconds of being dispatched, according to Baker. When he arrived, he reportedly discovered 40-year-old Christofer Conner beating a 15-year-old male with a rock. The officer told Conner to stop and he "initially appeared to comply." As the officer reportedly approached Conner, Conner "produced an edged weapon, slicing the officer’s throat and neck."

The officer fired two shots from his service weapon, killing Conner.

According to Baker, this occurred within "just under a minute" of the officer’s arrival. The officer was immediately transported to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and is currently recovering. The officer remains in stable condition, according to Baker.

Baker said the 15-year-old male, who he identified as Conner’s son, was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. He suffered "multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma."

As officers continued investigating the scene, they reportedly came across a third victim: 42-year-old Julia Marie Moore. She, too, died from stab wounds. Officers reportedly discovered a 5-year-old child inside the residence who has since been placed in the care of family members.

Baker said, "I have no doubt that our officer’s swift actions saved this child’s life."

The injured officer was placed on paid administrative leave and Arkansas State Police are taking charge of the investigation, Baker said. A second officer was also placed on administrative leave, though he was reportedly not involved in the shooting.

According to Sebastian County Jail records, Conner was arrested for domestic battery in July.

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