Shooting of Black Man by Kensett police riles Family, residents question justification; investigation continues

A Kensett man shot by a Kensett police officer March 4 remains in serious condition at Searcy's White County Medical Center while state police continue their investigation into the shooting. The victim's family and many residents of Kensett are saying the shooting was unjustified and the result of overly-aggressive, inappropriate police work. Jerry Cooperwood, 42, was shot by Kensett officer Sgt. Mark Wages, after a struggle that occurred after 2 a.m. near the carport of Nita Cooperwood's residence at 110 Cross Street in Kensett. Nita Cooperwood is Jerry Cooperwood's sister. At the time there were civil court orders for Jerry Cooperwood's detention following from his failure to pay about $40,000 in child support. Nita Cooperwood said that she and her 17-year-old son witnessed much of the incident. Jerry Cooperwood's brother, Kenneth Cooperwood, a one-time Kensett police officer, arrived to the scene within 15 minutes, as did parents Lewis and Claudester Cooperwood. Based on what Nita and her son witnessed, and from what they have heard from Jerry, the Cooperwoods believe that Wages was beating Jerry, that Wages lost his baton, that Jerry ran - and was shot in the back. The Cooperwoods' telling of events has gained traction in Kensett among both blacks and whites. Some black residents additionally believe themselves to be ongoing victims of police harassment. [more]

• Pictured above:  Lewis Cooperwood, pictured at his Kensett home, believes his son, Jerry, was trying to run away from Kensett police officer Mark Wages when he was shot by Wages on March 4 in Kensett. Jerry Cooperwood remains in serious condition at White County Medical Center. The state police investigation is continuing.