Chief identifies robber who was shot to death

During a news conference Monday afternoon, Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson said 53-year-old Thomas “Tony” Price of Little Rock was shot to death, after he attempted to rob Domino’s Pizza around 10:30 p.m. Sunday night.

Thompson said Price displayed a handgun, then cycled the gun before a Domino’s employee shot and killed him.

The chief added the gun was a BB gun that functioned like a semi-automatic handgun.

Pictured is the weapon used in the attempted robbery of Domino's Pizza on Sunday night.

When police arrived they found Price lying in the threshold of the front door deceased, Thompson said.

“An employee of the restaurant reported that Price entered the store,” Thompson said. “Price asked to see the manager, then brandished and cycled a handgun. At this point the employee, who was armed with a handgun, shot and killed Price.”

Thompson said "indisputable evidence" shows that on Sunday Price entered the store wearing a hoodie-type shirt with the hood pulled up over his head, and he was armed with a weapon.

“Indisputable evidence shows that he displayed the weapon and cycled it prior to being shot,” Thompson said. “Subsequent investigation revealed that Price’s weapon was a BB gun that functioned like a semi- automatic handgun.”

“While Price’s current identification indicated a residency in Little Rock, he is from the Blytheville area and has an extensive criminal history with our department including previous felony arrest and convictions,” he continued.

Price's body has been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office for autopsy.

“The case remains open and the investigation continues,” Thompson said.

“As always anyone with any information is urged to contact our department or the Blytheville Crime Stoppers tip line.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Blytheville Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 870-763-4411 or Blytheville Crime Stoppers at http://www.blythevillecrimestoppers.com or 844-910-STOP. You could also use the free P3Tip app on your phone available at your mobile app store.

Below is Monday's press conference.

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