Pine Bluff Police are asking the public for information that could lead to arrests in four unsolved homicides this year.
Police are still working to identify suspects in the recent killings of Jimmie Epperson, 29; Brandon Goldberg, 44; Tarlesha McPhearson, 47; and Antonio Gardner, 34. All have died within the past three months.
“If you know something, say something,” police urge, according to a news release. To offer information, call the Pine Bluff Police Department Detective Division at (870) 730-2090, the tip line at (870) 730-2106 or dispatch center at (870) 541-5300.
“As any of the detectives will attest to, we absolutely rely on the public’s help to solve these cases,” PBPD public information specialist John Worthen said. “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.”
Eleven homicides have been recorded in Pine Bluff this year. Four remain unsolved.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Jimmie Epperson
Police offer a $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of Thomaz Johnson, 25, who is wanted in connection with Epperson’s death. The homicide occurred at about 9:05 p.m. Sept. 23 at 615 S. Missouri St. Police say Epperson was found lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene by Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Teddy Spivey.
Johnson is described as a Black male who stands 5-feet-10 and weighs 160 pounds. His last known address, according to police, was 2317 Belair Drive, Pine Bluff.
Johnson’s mother Sparkle Bankston was taken into custody on suspicion of hindering apprehension related to the homicide. She has since been released.
Brandon Goldberg
Goldberg was found unresponsive in a passenger car parked in the driveway of an unoccupied residence at 3202 W. 15th Ave. just before 4:30 p.m. Aug. 31. Goldberg reportedly suffered several gunshot wounds and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
The property owner discovered Goldberg and notified police and the victim’s family.
Police Det. Jason Boykin said in a news release there have been “some decent leads that we are working on.” He added: “We have been speaking with a lot of family members and people that were in Goldberg’s circle. That’s really given us some good information. We’re making good progress on it.”
Tarlesha McPhearson
McPhearson was shot Aug. 2 near the intersection of West 12th Avenue and South Cypress Street after an unknown Black male fired into a vehicle driven by Edward Creggett, according to police. Creggett reportedly told police the unknown male fired one shot, striking McPhearson in the face after she entered the vehicle.
Creggett reportedly drove to Jefferson Regional after the shooting. That’s where, according to police, he told them the suspect was in his mid-40s to 50s. Just before the shooting, Creggett told police, McPhearson flagged him down for a ride.
McPhearson died 16 days after the shooting.
Antonio Gardner
At about 2:44 a.m. June 14, police responded to 611 W. 27th Ave. and found Gardner, who had been shot in the back, lying on the floor of a bedroom in a pool of blood. Gardner died July 10.
Officers also saw several bullet holes outside of the residence, according to police.
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.