On March 31, at approximately 10:58 p.m. at Walmart Supercenter on Skyline Drive, officers were dispatched to a call regarding a male stabbing a female employee, according to the Conway PD Facebook post.
Officers arrived within approximately one minute of dispatch and encountered the suspect still armed with a knife, according to the post.
“During the encounter, officers gave the suspect multiple commands to drop the weapon. The suspect did not comply and advanced toward an officer while still armed. In response, one officer discharged their firearm once. A second officer then deployed a Taser, and the suspect was taken into custody. The suspect did not sustain any apparent gunshot injury, and no other individuals were injured,” the report said.
The victim was identified as 32-year-old Jordanne Drinkwater, a Walmart employee, according to the social media post. She was provided emergency aid by officers and medical personnel but died at the scene as a result of her injuries, said the post.
The suspect was identified as 37-year-old Zeddrick Ross, said the post. He was taken into custody at the scene and transported to Faulkner County Detention Center.
Preliminary investigation indicates that Ross was not employed by Walmart and had no relation to the victim prior to the attack, according to the post.
“This is the first time it was not a known homicide. It was a guy who’s homeless,” Chief of Police Chris Harris said. “It’s unfortunate. This is actually the first time in a long time that I know of, this is actually a random act of violence.”
Harris spoke on his recollection of the events prior to the release of information on the Facebook post.
“He’s got mental health problems. He went in and he stabbed the young lady who was working there, and thankfully, our officers arrived there within a minute,” he said. “He still had a knife in his hand and started advancing towards one of the officers. She fired a round, did not hit him, but when that happened, another officer was able to tase him and that got him to the ground and we were able to take him into custody.”
The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policy, said the post.
This remains an active investigation.
“The Conway Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Jordanne Drinkwater, as well as her Walmart coworkers, during this tragic time,” Conway PD Facebook said.
