Two men were killed in a shooting Wednesday night near the intersection of 14th Avenue and Apple Street, according to the Pine Bluff Police Department.
Officers responded just after 8 p.m. to reports of a traffic accident with injuries. While en route, dispatchers advised that a person inside the vehicle had been shot.
Upon arrival, officers found a vehicle in a ditch near the southeast corner of the intersection. A male victim suffering from a gunshot wound was located inside the vehicle and transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center by EASI Ambulance Service. While searching the area, officers discovered a second male victim nearby, who was also transported to the hospital.
Both victims were later pronounced dead at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Authorities identified them as 18-year-old Zykelon Ginger and 19-year-old Otis Tyler.
Keshawn Franklin, 19, has been arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder in connection with the shooting.
The Pine Bluff Police Department held a press conference Thursday to discuss the incident and outline steps being taken to keep the community safe. Assistant Chief Kelvin Hadley said several measures are being implemented by the department.
Hadley said that the department will look for help from federal agencies moving forward.
He also said that Chief Shawn Davis and Mayor Vivian Flowers are working to give the department the tools needed to combat violent crime.
Hadley confirmed to Deltaplex News during the press conference that the Pine Bluff Police Department intends to pursue federal charges against Franklin in connection with the shooting, in addition to the two counts of capital murder he faces at the state level.
