Rockdale County

Metro Atlanta murder suspect arrested after shootout that killed Arkansas police officer

CONYERS, Ga. — A murder suspect wanted for a killing a man in Conyers in June has been arrested after a shootout at a motel in Arkansas that killed a police officer.

Keshone Smith is the fifth suspect who has now been arrested in connection with the death of Money White Jr.

White lived at the Briar Creek Court apartment complex and was shot multiple times in the chest during a robbery attempt on June 15.

Police had previously arrested Dacquan Whitson and Christien West in connection with the case, but they were still looking for Smith.

Shortly after the shooting, investigators said they believed Smith had fled to Arkansas.

On Monday, authorities said three officers got into a shootout at an Econo Lodge motel in Pine Bluff, Arkansas while there for an ongoing investigation.

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Police said Detective Kevin Collins and Lt. Ralph Isaac with the Pine Bluff Police Department were shot during the exchange of gunfire.

Collins later died from his injuries. The third officer involved in the shootout was not injured.

Investigators said multiple people, including Smith, were taken into custody following the shootout.

Collins was a 5-year veteran of the Pine Bluff Police Department. He was assigned to the department’s violent crimes unit.

“At his heart, being an officer is what Kevin wanted to do,” Pine Bluff Police Chief Kelvin Sergeant said during a news conference. “I ask you pray for the Pine Bluff Police Department. We’re hurting. We have lost a family member.”

In a new release, the Conyers Police Department offered their condolences.

“Police Chief Gene Wilson and Conyers Police Department would like to express our deepest condolences to Detective Collins' family and the Pine Bluff Police Department. We also wish for the full recovery of Lt. Ralph Isaac following this tragedy,” the department said.

The Arkansas State Police have taken over the investigation into the shooting of the police officers.

There is no word yet on when Smith could be extradited back to Georgia to face the murder charges out of Conyers.

Information from ABC, CNN and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution used in this article.