The Pine Bluff Police Department is in the early stages of investigating a homicide. On August 13, 2020 Officers were dispatched to 101 W. 17th around 12:57 a.m. in reference to a possible shooting. Once Officers were on scene, they found 39 year old Christopher Gates on the front porch of the residence. Mr. Gates had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Eric Belcher.

A second male victim was also shot multiple times. The male, identified as 18 year old Charles Washington Jr., was transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Mr. Washington succumbed to his injuries while in surgery at JRMC.

There is no suspect information at the time of this release and the motive for the shooting is unknown. This is the city’s 16th and 17th homicide.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Detective Division at 870-730-2090 or Dispatch at 870-541-5300. Also, there is a reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of any suspect or suspects.