On a Sunday afternoon, the 5th of December in 2021, the life of 27-year-old Mari Martin was tragically cut short in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. At approximately 1:31 p.m., police responded to a call about a shooting on West 25th Street. Upon their arrival at the 1501 address, they discovered Martin lying in the street, having sustained apparent gunshot wounds. He was quickly transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center for treatment, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries.
His death marked the 27th homicide in the city of Pine Bluff for that year.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that it stemmed from an altercation involving Martin and two other individuals. According to reports from the investigation, the confrontation escalated, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Surveillance footage from a nearby home captured the sequence of events. The video showed Martin brandishing a handgun and firing at the others, who then returned fire. During the ensuing physical struggle, Martin dropped his weapon. It was at this moment, while he was unarmed, that one of the other individuals allegedly fired two shots at him.
The individual accused of firing the fatal shots was identified as 24-year-old Kendrick Hunter. Following the incident, a warrant for first-degree murder was issued for his arrest. On February 22, 2022, Hunter turned himself in to the Pine Bluff Police Department. He was subsequently charged in connection with Martin's death. Initially, his bond was set at $500,000, but it was later reduced to $150,000. The reduction of his bond and subsequent release caused considerable distress for Martin's family, who voiced concerns about the judicial process. Hunter's trial was scheduled to take place on September 22, 2022.
