In the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, the life of 34-year-old Antonio Gardner was irrevocably altered. At approximately 2:44 a.m., police officers were dispatched to a residence at 611 W. 27th Avenue in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where they discovered a grim scene. Inside one of the bedrooms, Gardner was found lying on the floor in a pool of blood, having sustained a gunshot wound to his back.
The exterior of the home bore evidence of the violence that had occurred, with several bullet holes marking the structure.
Witnesses at the scene, two other males who were present during the shooting, reported seeing several Black males fleeing the area immediately after the gunshots. They observed the individuals getting into a passenger car and speeding away from the residence. Despite medical attention, Antonio Gardner succumbed to his injuries nearly a month later, on July 10, 2025. His death was officially ruled a homicide.
As of the fall of 2025, the investigation into Antonio Gardner's murder remains open and is considered an unsolved case. No arrests have been made, and authorities have not publicly identified any specific suspects. The Pine Bluff Police Department has appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. They are asking for help to piece together the events of that tragic morning and bring those responsible for Gardner's death to justice.
