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A Jonesboro officer who was involved in a shooting that killed a Little Rock man has been cleared.

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According to Arkansas State Police, charges will not pursued against Jonesboro Police Officer Zachary Hobbs in the shooting death of 26-year-old Joseph L. McCrackin Jr. on Jan. 9.

“Arkansas Code Annotated 5-2-610 (b)(2) allows the use of deadly force when an officer believes it necessary to defend himself or a third person from what the law enforcement officer reasonably believes to be the imminent use of physical deadly force," wrote Prosecuting Attorney Sonia F. Hagood in a letter to Arkansas State Police (ASP), dated January 19, 2024. “Ofc. Hobbs acted reasonably and was justified in using deadly physical force. This letter is your authority to close the use of force review as justified. No prosecution will follow.”

At around 7:45 a.m. on Jan.9, Hobbs was sent to a home in the 1100 block of West Jefferson Street regarding an altercation between McCrackin and his father.

Dispatch was informed by a witness that McCrackin had a knife.

Hobbs arrived and confronted McCrackin - a physical altercation took place - and Hobbs then fired his service weapon, striking McCrackin authorities reported.

McCrackin was pronounced dead at the scene.

In Hagood’s letter, she said, “ The suspect continued to use violent physical force on Officer Hobbs with no indication that he would stop until the officer was incapacitated or deceased. Additionally, the suspect reached for Ofc. Hobbs’ service weapon during the violent encounter.”