Arkansas Jury Awards $900,000 to Man Shot by State Trooper During 2020 Protest
A federal jury in Arkansas has awarded approximately $900,000 to Don Cook, an "innocent dad" who was shot in the face by an Arkansas State Police trooper with a beanbag round during a Black Lives Matter protest at the Arkansas…
Little Rock Pine Bluff, AR, November 7, 2026 — A federal jury in Arkansas has awarded approximately $900,000 to Don Cook, who was shot in the face with a beanbag round by an Arkansas State Police trooper. The incident occurred on June 1, 2020, during a Black Lives Matter protest held at the Arkansas Capitol.
The jury determined that the state police used excessive force against Cook, who was described as an “innocent dad.” Following the shooting, Cook sustained severe injuries. He subsequently faced charges that were later dropped.
The legal proceedings concluded with the jury ruling in Cook’s favor, awarding him approximately $900,000 in damages. The verdict signifies the jury’s conclusion that the force used by the trooper was unwarranted.
The incident took place amid protests that followed nationwide events in the summer of 2020. Cook’s case proceeded through the federal court system, culminating in the jury’s decision after hearing evidence presented by both sides. The specifics of the legal process leading to the charges being dropped were not detailed in the provided information.
Story summarized from the original created by Austin Gelder on arktimes.com, see more information here.
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