Lacravio Radford, 22, from Alabama, was the driver of the burgundy colored van that ran a stoplight at Franklin and Ash Streets (in the construction area) around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday October 21, before events ended with shots being fired at a Blytheville Police officer. Radford went before District Judge Shannon Langston on October 27, and was assessed a fine and court costs for running a stop sign, however the firearm charge was "nol prossed" with the firearm being confiscated.
When the officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, an armed black male, Shykeen Daniels, allegedly exited from a sliding door on the passenger side and attempted to flee. One officer stayed with the van and one officer pursued Daniels.
Radford told police that he had a weapon in his possession, but 25-year old Travis Reed, another passenger in the van, denied knowing of the weapon. Officers then searched the vehicle and discovered not only the weapon described by Radford, but also another handgun partially protruding from under the back of the driver's seat. When police ran the serial numbers, the handgun located behind the back of the driver's seat was listed as having been stolen in Jonesboro.
During the foot pursuit of Daniels, a Daniels allegedly fired one shot toward the police officer before throwing the weapon over a fence. The officer, while holding Daniels at gunpoint, ordered Daniels to stop and then took him into custody.
"I was just trying to do a good dead for someone, and when it all happened it shocked me. I'd never been in that situation," Radford told the CN by phone Tuesday afternoon.
thenry@blythevillecourier.com