An officer with the Benton Police Department responded to a report of unknown trouble with a male screaming. The officer spoke with Burns and a woman who were arguing, and they were separated. The officer encountered Burns a short time later. Police said Burns threatened the officer with a handgun, and he was shot, dying a few days later.
Victim's Name: Thomas Burns
Agency Responsible: Benton Police Department
Gender: Male
Age: 49
Race: White
Date of Death: October 7, 2016
County: Saline
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: Unknown
Armed: Unarmed/Did Not Have an Actual Weapon
Weapon: toy
Threat Level: other
Fleeing: Not fleeing
Body Camera: No
Washington Post Database ID: 1953
Geography: Suburban