Topline: A black Labrador was killed in a Little Rock police encounter that ended with its owner in jail and an internal investigation into the officer’s gunfire.
Published: July 22, 2026 10:04 pm ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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Bodycam footage released by LRPD.
LITTLE ROCK, AR — A Little Rock police officer shot and killed a black Labrador retriever in the Heights on Sunday after confronting 34-year-old Thomas Schmidt outside a home on Country Club Boulevard, turning a neighborhood police response into a fatal shooting that ended with Schmidt’s arrest.
According to new details reported by KARK and THV11, Little Rock police said the chain of events began when officers were called to a restaurant on the 2700 block of Kavanaugh Boulevard over a customer who had been drinking and was becoming increasingly aggressive toward other patrons.
Police said restaurant employees told officers the situation had nearly turned physical before it was de-escalated, and that Schmidt damaged the front door by kicking it after staff told him to leave. Witnesses also told police Schmidt drove on the wrong side of the road after leaving and nearly struck other vehicles, though the restaurant manager said the business did not want to pursue charges.
Officers were then sent to the 4800 block of Country Club Boulevard on a battery call, where Officer Foster-Todd made contact with Schmidt as he exited a home with the dog, police said. Authorities said the Labrador ran toward the officer while barking aggressively, Foster-Todd tried to create distance and gave multiple commands for Schmidt to recall the dog, and then fired one shot when the animal continued advancing and posed what police described as an immediate threat.
Schmidt was taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct, attempt to influence a public servant, and second-degree terroristic threatening. Police said he pleaded not guilty Monday, and the department has opened an administrative investigation into the shooting while Foster-Todd remains on regular duty.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Little Rock Police Release New Details After Officer Fatally Shoots Dog in the Heights
A black Labrador was killed in a Little Rock police encounter that ended with its owner in jail and an internal investigation into the officer’s gunfire.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: July 22, 2026 10:04 pm ET
Bodycam footage released by LRPD.
LITTLE ROCK, AR — A Little Rock police officer shot and killed a black Labrador retriever in the Heights on Sunday after confronting 34-year-old Thomas Schmidt outside a home on Country Club Boulevard, turning a neighborhood police response into a fatal shooting that ended with Schmidt’s arrest.
According to new details reported by KARK and THV11, Little Rock police said the chain of events began when officers were called to a restaurant on the 2700 block of Kavanaugh Boulevard over a customer who had been drinking and was becoming increasingly aggressive toward other patrons.
Police said restaurant employees told officers the situation had nearly turned physical before it was de-escalated, and that Schmidt damaged the front door by kicking it after staff told him to leave. Witnesses also told police Schmidt drove on the wrong side of the road after leaving and nearly struck other vehicles, though the restaurant manager said the business did not want to pursue charges.
Officers were then sent to the 4800 block of Country Club Boulevard on a battery call, where Officer Foster-Todd made contact with Schmidt as he exited a home with the dog, police said. Authorities said the Labrador ran toward the officer while barking aggressively, Foster-Todd tried to create distance and gave multiple commands for Schmidt to recall the dog, and then fired one shot when the animal continued advancing and posed what police described as an immediate threat.
Schmidt was taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct, attempt to influence a public servant, and second-degree terroristic threatening. Police said he pleaded not guilty Monday, and the department has opened an administrative investigation into the shooting while Foster-Todd remains on regular duty.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Little Rock Police Release New Details After Officer Fatally Shoots Dog in the Heights
A black Labrador was killed in a Little Rock police encounter that ended with its owner in jail and an internal investigation into the officer’s gunfire.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: July 22, 2026 10:04 pm ET
Bodycam footage released by LRPD.
LITTLE ROCK, AR — A Little Rock police officer shot and killed a black Labrador retriever in the Heights on Sunday after confronting 34-year-old Thomas Schmidt outside a home on Country Club Boulevard, turning a neighborhood police response into a fatal shooting that ended with Schmidt’s arrest.
According to new details reported by KARK and THV11, Little Rock police said the chain of events began when officers were called to a restaurant on the 2700 block of Kavanaugh Boulevard over a customer who had been drinking and was becoming increasingly aggressive toward other patrons.
Police said restaurant employees told officers the situation had nearly turned physical before it was de-escalated, and that Schmidt damaged the front door by kicking it after staff told him to leave. Witnesses also told police Schmidt drove on the wrong side of the road after leaving and nearly struck other vehicles, though the restaurant manager said the business did not want to pursue charges.
Officers were then sent to the 4800 block of Country Club Boulevard on a battery call, where Officer Foster-Todd made contact with Schmidt as he exited a home with the dog, police said. Authorities said the Labrador ran toward the officer while barking aggressively, Foster-Todd tried to create distance and gave multiple commands for Schmidt to recall the dog, and then fired one shot when the animal continued advancing and posed what police described as an immediate threat.
Schmidt was taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct, attempt to influence a public servant, and second-degree terroristic threatening. Police said he pleaded not guilty Monday, and the department has opened an administrative investigation into the shooting while Foster-Todd remains on regular duty.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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