Authorities have cleared three Fort Smith police officers in the shooting of a man two weeks ago who allegedly threatened them with a knife. An internal review of the June 5th events - a process that included the prosecutor's office - has cleared officers Carson Addis, Steve Hutchinson and Sgt. Daniel Grubbs. Department spokesman Sgt. Jarrard Copeland confirmed the decision. The officers, who were put on leave after the event, had responded to an apparent domestic incident in Fort Smith in which 21-year old Joe Ellis Christian reportedly brandished a knife. Officer Addis shot Christian three times in the presence of the other officers. Christian is in fair to good condition at Sparks Regional Medical Center. Copeland said prosecutors concluded that Addis's use of force was justified.
