In the early evening of January 9, 2023, the life of 39-year-old Harold Withers of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, was cut tragically short. Responding to reports of gunfire at approximately 7:00 p.m., Pine Bluff police officers arrived at the intersection of Port Road and Byrd Street to find a vehicle partially obstructing the roadway. Inside, they discovered Withers, who had sustained apparent gunshot wounds.
Despite the prompt arrival of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jefferson County Coroner's Office. This incident marked the second homicide of the year in the city.
Known affectionately to friends and family as 'Squirt,' Harold Withers was a father to two sons. His death left his loved ones seeking answers and calling for an end to the violence that took him from them. In the days following the shooting, his family gathered to celebrate his life with a balloon release, sharing memories and grieving their profound loss. They spoke of him as a devoted father, whose absence would be deeply felt by his children, one of whom had already lost his mother in a car accident years prior.
The investigation into Harold Withers' death was immediately launched by the Pine Bluff Police Department's Detective Division. His body was sent to the state Crime Laboratory to officially determine the cause and manner of death. In the initial stages of their inquiry, law enforcement officials reported that they had not identified any suspects and urged the public to come forward with any information that might lead to an arrest. Authorities have continued to appeal to the community for assistance, asking anyone with knowledge of the shooting to contact them through their detective division, a dedicated tip line, or the department's main dispatch.
As of the latest available information, the investigation into the death of Harold Withers remains ongoing. No arrests have been publicly announced, and no suspects have been formally named in connection with the shooting. The case remains an open and active homicide investigation, leaving a family and a community still waiting for justice.
