The sheriff’s office said that on the evening of Dec. 3, 2023, Grindstaff, a corporal at the time, tried to pull over a truck driven by Scottie Stacy in Fayetteville, but Stacy reportedly did not stop, 5News reports.
In the ensuing chase, officials said Stacy drove through a fence and into a field before stopping. When Grindstaff stepped out of his patrol car, Stacy reportedly "rapidly accelerated in reverse toward the deputy" before hitting the patrol car.
Grindstaff then shot at Stacy, killing him, officials say.
Washington County Sheriff Jay Cantrell reportedly asked the state police to investigate the shooting, and on March 11, Grindstaff was arrested by state police officers after a special prosecutor assigned to the case charged him with murder and assault. Grindstaff was fired before his arrest.