Two female Texarkana Police officers sustained injuries during an attempted arrest of 30-year-old Michael Hawkins on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
Around 3:30 PM, Officers Lauren Freeman and Chastina Wilburn responded to a disturbance call in the 1400 block of College Drive. The call stemmed from an argument between Hawkins and his mother, who was driving along the road at the time. Upon arrival, the officers located Michael Hawkins, who was sitting alone inside a vehicle in a nearby parking lot.
Despite their attempts to engage in a conversation with Hawkins, he displayed non-cooperative behavior. Eventually, the officers requested that he exit the vehicle. However, Hawkins grabbed a nearby tire iron and retreated to the back seat. When one of the officers deployed a JPX pepper gun, Hawkins responded by hurling the tire iron at them, striking Officer Wilburn.
With the back doors of the vehicle open, the officers continued to instruct Hawkins to exit. As he complied and stepped out, he made an attempt to reach back into the truck. In response, the officers grasped his arms in an effort to prevent him from doing so. A physical altercation ensued, and Hawkins forcefully resisted arrest. During the struggle, he seized Officer Freeman by the hair and forcefully slammed her face into the concrete. The officers continued their efforts to restrain him until the arrival of Officer Dacota Taylor, who aided in securing Hawkins in handcuffs.
Both injured officers were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Though their injuries were serious, both officers are expected to make a full recovery.
Michael Hawkins faces charges of two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant and Resisting Arrest.
Provided by Greenville Chronicle.
