Homicide suspect killed in shoot-out with WM Police

Homicide suspect killed in shoot-out with WM Police

Man wanted on multiple warrants, attempted to run over deputy

ralphhardin@gmail.com A man with multiple outstanding warrants was killed in a shoot-out with West Memphis Police early this morning.

Ricardo Tenorio was wanted for trying to run over a Shelby County deputy. According to reports, Tenorio had nearly a dozen outstanding warrants out for him and was wanted for murder.

Facing arrest, Tenorio barricaded himself in a room at the Days Inn in West Memphis, located at 1100 Ingram Blvd. In the ensuing shoot-out with West Memphis Police, Tenorio was killed, ending a standoff that began Thursday afternoon.

According to Shelby County Deputies, Tenorio was at a known drug house Thursday when a deputy tried to grab the suspect from a van, but Tenorio quickly sped toward him in an attempt to hit the deputy and avoid arrest.

'The detective jumps out of the way and as the guy drives out of the driveway, one shot was fired,' said Earle Farrell with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.

Tenorio then fled the scene, ultimately ending up at the Days Inn. The West Memphis Police Department, Shelby County law enforcement, and the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department arrived at the scene over the course of the standoff.

Shelby County Assistant Chief Deputy Mark Dunbar said they received informa- tion that Tenorio was at the hotel and went to retrieve him.

Dunbar said West Memphis Police Department secured the area around 3 a.m. Friday and asked him to surrender, but he refused. 'He came out and initiated a gun battle with officers and it did not turn out well for him,' Dunbar said.

Dunbar stressed that Tenorio initiated the gun battle outside a hotel room. He added that investigators made sure the area was safe

for other guests at the hotel before attempting to contact Tenorio.

'We've dealt with him in the past,' Dunbar added.

'We've been looking for him… and he's made known that he was not going to come in peacefully.'

Tenorio’s other warrants included a parole violation, burglary, theft, evading arrest and various drug charges. Dunbar said West Memphis Police Department and Arkansas officials are handling the investigation at this time.

By Ralph Hardin