CARLISLE, AR — A man wanted for a violent carjacking and kidnapping in Michigan was fatally shot by Arkansas State Police during a traffic stop along Interstate 40 near Carlisle on Wednesday. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Felipe Millan-Gomez of Grand Rapids, Michigan, had been the subject of a multi-state search following a disturbing incident that occurred earlier in the week.
Authorities say Millan-Gomez was being sought by the Manistee County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly threatening a woman at gunpoint, forcing her to drive, and later stealing her vehicle on Monday, June 9. Because he was considered armed and dangerous, law enforcement across state lines were on high alert for his capture. His actions raised serious concerns about public safety.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 11, Arkansas State Police located the suspect traveling on Interstate 40. Troopers initiated a traffic stop near the 18-mile marker outside Carlisle around 1:30 p.m. According to official reports, Millan-Gomez exited his vehicle and displayed a firearm. In response, troopers opened fire, killing him at the scene. No officers were injured in the incident.
Following the shooting, Millan-Gomez’s body was taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy. Meanwhile, the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division has launched a formal investigation into the troopers’ use of deadly force. Once complete, the findings will be submitted to the Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether the shooting was legally justified.
Investigators have not yet shared additional details about the traffic stop, including whether Millan-Gomez said anything to officers before showing the weapon or whether anyone else was in the vehicle. It remains unclear how long troopers had been tracking him before initiating the stop.
Millan-Gomez’s death brings an end to a tense search that began in Michigan and concluded on an Arkansas highway. The original case involving carjacking and kidnapping is still under review by Michigan authorities. With the suspect now deceased, law enforcement may shift their focus to uncovering the full story behind the initial crime.
As the investigation continues, more information is expected to be released by Arkansas State Police and prosecutors. The case highlights the dangers officers face in high-risk encounters and the swift decisions required when lives are on the line.