Pine Bluff Sees Decline in Shootings, Shots Fired Reports Through Mid-September

For the first two weeks of September, Pine Bluff recorded no shootings, and reports of shots fired across the city are also on the decline, according to information shared Wednesday by Pine Bluff Police Chief Shirley Warrior.

The update came during the department’s quarterly crime review meeting on Sept. 17, which included representatives from the Arkansas State Police, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, White Hall Police Department, Pine Bluff School District, and area courts.

Warrior said the department’s proactive efforts, including the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) program, are playing a key role in reducing violent crime. GVI works closely with the PBPD to address potentially violent situations before they escalate into criminal acts.

“This city is our home, and we want it to be as safe as it can be,” said John Worthen, public information specialist for the PBPD. “The department’s many men and women in blue are dedicated to this task wholeheartedly. We are proud of the momentum that has been made to reduce crime, and we will continue our mission.”

Quarterly Crime Statistics

The department reported mixed trends across homicides, non-fatal shootings, and property damage:

• Homicides: Six of the city’s 10 homicide cases so far in 2025 have been cleared, with arrests made in all but three — the deaths of Antonio Gardner (June 14), Tarlesha McPhearson (Aug. 2), and Brandon Goldberg (Aug. 31) remain unsolved.

  • May: 1 homicide (up from 0 in 2024)

  • June: 2 homicides (down from 3 in 2024)

  • July: 2 homicides (up from 1 in 2024)

  • August: 2 homicides (down from 3 in 2024)

• Non-Fatal Shootings: Significant decreases were seen from May through August.

  • May: 5 (down from 8 in 2024)

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  • June: 8 (down from 12 in 2024)

  • July: 2 (down from 5 in 2024)

  • August: 6 (down from 13 in 2024)

• Shots Fired Reports: Down in every month except July, which saw a slight 3% increase.

  • May & June: Both down 17% from 2024 levels

  • July: 62 reports (up from 60 in 2024)

  • August: 51 reports (down 22% from 65 in 2024)

• Property Damage:

  • Buildings hit by gunfire: May and July saw slight increases, while August dropped to zero.

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  • Vehicles hit by gunfire: Rose slightly in May and July but fell to zero in August.

Warrior said the department remains committed to building on these trends through proactive policing and community partnerships.