In the early hours of a Saturday morning in Little Rock, Arkansas, a beloved member of the community, Charles 'Charlee' Willis, a 53-year-old Caucasian male, was tragically killed. On March 26, 2022, while working as a security guard at the popular dive bar, Pizza D'Action on West Markham Street, an altercation occurred that would ultimately lead to his untimely death.
Willis, known for his warm and caring nature, had become an integral part of the Pizza D'Action family after moving to Little Rock from Baltimore to escape violence.
The fatal incident began when Willis escorted a patron, 23-year-old Tyler Jackson, out of the establishment following a confrontation. Witnesses reported that Jackson then attempted to re-enter the bar, this time brandishing a firearm. In his effort to prevent Jackson from re-entering and to protect the patrons and staff inside, Willis was fatally shot. The sudden and violent loss of their friend and colleague left the staff and patrons of Pizza D'Action in a state of shock and profound grief.
In the days that followed, the Little Rock Police Department launched a thorough investigation into the homicide. Their efforts led to the arrest of Tyler Jackson on April 5, 2022. Jackson was subsequently charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Charles Willis and was held in the Pulaski County Jail. The community mourned the loss of a man described by friends as a 'sweetheart of a dude,' remembering him as a hardworking individual who was taken far too soon. His death was part of a violent five-day stretch in Little Rock that saw a total of eleven people shot, further highlighting the tragedy of his passing.
