CROSSETT, Ark. – A 16-year-old girl held hostage inside a Crossett home was rescued Oct. 30 when the Arkansas State Police SWAT team ended an armed standoff, and the man accused of holding her has died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, state police said.
Crossett police were called at about 2:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, to the 400 block of North Louisiana Street after a report that Joe Washington Jr., 56, was armed and holding the girl against her will, according to a state police news release.
The girl’s mother told investigators that Washington had restrained her, forced her into a vehicle and assaulted her over several hours before putting her in the trunk, the release said. She told investigators she escaped by forcing the trunk open and jumping from the moving vehicle. She had visible injuries, according to state police.
Officers set up a perimeter and tried to negotiate with Washington, who threatened to shoot if they did not move away, state police said. The Crossett Police Department then asked for help from the state police SWAT team, which took control of the scene and entered the residence.
The girl was found and escorted out safely without life-threatening injuries. Washington was found critically injured inside and was flown to a Little Rock hospital, where he was pronounced dead Thursday morning, according to the release.
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“Our SWAT team has answered the call more than 210 times in the last year alone in support of our local law enforcement partners,” said ASP Col. Mike Hagar. “Before we were able to stand up a full-time SWAT team a few years ago, we were handling an average of 10 annual activations. Now, we’re able to better serve local law enforcement agencies in need of our specialized personnel and equipment. I’m so proud of our Troopers for bringing this brave girl to safety.”
Washington’s body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to determine the official cause and manner of death.
The investigation is ongoing, and state police said no further information is being released at this time.
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