If you know something, say something.
That’s the message Pine Bluff Police Department detectives are spreading as they seek information about four unsolved homicides that have happened this year.
A $1,500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Thomaz Johnson, a suspect wanted in connection with the city’s most recent homicide, which occurred at approximately 9:05 p.m. on Sept. 23, 2025, at 615 South Missouri St.
The victim has been identified as 29-year-old Jimmie Epperson. Upon arrival, officers found Epperson lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Teddy Spivey.
Johnson is a 25-year-old black male who stands 5-feet, 10-inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. His last known address was 2317 Belair Drive in Pine Bluff.
Johnson’s mother, Sparkle Bankston, was taken into custody for hindering apprehension related to the homicide but has since been released.
Brandon Goldberg
Just before 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2025, PBPD officers responded to a reported shooting at 3202 W. 15th Ave. On arrival, they found 44-year-old Brandon Goldberg unresponsive in a passenger car parked in the driveway of an unoccupied residence.
Goldberg had suffered several gunshot wounds and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
The property owner, checking on the vacant residence, discovered Goldberg and notified police and the victim’s family.
PBPD Detective Jason Boykin, who is working the case, said there have been “some decent leads that we are working on.”
“We have been speaking with a lot of family members and people that were in Goldberg’s circle,” Boykin said. “That’s really given us some good information. We’re making good progress on it.”
Tarlesha McPhearson
Tarlesha McPhearson, 47, of Pine Bluff, was shot on Aug. 2, 2025, near the intersection of West 12th Avenue and South Cypress Street after an unknown black male fired into a vehicle driven by Edward Creggett.
A bullet hit McPhearson in the face, and she died on Aug. 18.
After the shooting, Creggett drove to Jefferson Regional Medical Center, where he told police that the suspect was in his mid-40s to 50s. He said that, just before the shooting, McPhearson had flagged him down for a ride.
After she entered the vehicle, Creggett said the unknown male fired one shot, striking McPhearson.
Antonio Gardner
At approximately 2:44 a.m. on June 14, PBPD officers responded to 611 W. 27th Ave. and found 34-year-old Antonio Gardner lying on the floor of a bedroom in a pool of blood.
He had been shot in the back.
Officers also saw several bullet holes on the outside of the residence.
Two males who were at the residence during the shooting reported that several black males ran away from the scene and got into a passenger car.
Gardner died on July 10 from his injuries.
“As any of the detectives will attest to, we absolutely rely on the public’s help to solve these cases,” said PBPD Public Information Specialist John Worthen. “If someone saw something, heard something or sees something posted online, even if they think it’s not significant, please notify us. Someone out there knows who committed these homicides. Please speak up.”
Anyone with information about these cases is asked to contact The Pine Bluff Police Department Detective Division at 870-730-2090, the tip line at 870-730-2106 or the dispatch center at 870-541-5300.
