On the afternoon of January 26, 2026, the life of Jurnea Stanley, a 23-year-old female, was tragically cut short in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Just after 2:00 P.M., officers from the Pine Bluff Police Department were dispatched to a residence at 2405 W. 24th Street following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Jurnea unresponsive inside the home.
She had sustained an apparent gunshot wound to her upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Friends and family remembered Jurnea, who had recently celebrated her birthday, as a vibrant individual with a warm personality and a promising future. Born in Okinawa, Japan, she was a resident of Little Rock and a graduate student at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where she was pursuing a Master of Animal Science degree. She also worked as a graduate advisor in the university's School of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Human Sciences. Jurnea was a recipient of the USDA 1890 National Scholars award and was a dedicated scholar with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, fueled by her love for animals.
Present at the scene when police arrived was 25-year-old Michael Johnson. He was taken to the detective's office for questioning regarding the incident. Following the interview, Johnson was arrested and transported to the Jefferson County Jail. He has been booked on a charge of 2nd Degree Murder in connection with Jurnea Stanley's death. The investigation into the homicide is still in its early stages, and authorities have not released further details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting.
