In the quiet town of Searcy, Arkansas, the life of Thomas Bernard Hunt, a 41-year-old Black man, was tragically cut short on November 23, 2019. A lifelong resident of Searcy, Hunt was a father of five and a former football player for the Searcy Lions at Searcy High School. He was known for his generosity and sense of humor, often going out of his way to help others.
On that Saturday, emergency responders found Hunt behind a Kroger store on East Race Street, suffering from multiple
gunshot wounds. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The unexpected violence of his death sent shockwaves through the community, which was unaccustomed to such crimes.
For months, the investigation into Thomas Hunt's murder seemed to stall, leaving his family and the community in a state of uncertainty. The Searcy Police Department reviewed surveillance footage and appealed to the public for information, but no immediate arrests were made, and no suspects were publicly identified. The case remaining unsolved for a significant period highlighted the challenges law enforcement can face in smaller communities.
However, a breakthrough in the case finally came in April 2025. The Searcy police, in conjunction with the 17th Judicial Drug Task Force, arrested two suspects in connection with the 2019 homicide. Justice Cunningham, 27, and Andre Smith, 26, were taken into custody and now face capital murder charges for their alleged involvement in the shooting death of Thomas Hunt.
