In the early hours of a Saturday in Little Rock, Arkansas, a senseless act of violence claimed the life of 47-year-old Charles Harris. On March 17, 2018, Harris was driving through Boyle Park when another vehicle pulled alongside his and unleashed a hail of gunfire. Struck multiple times, Harris was found by police inside his car and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A passenger in his vehicle, 64-year-old Rodney Gilstrap, sustained a minor injury and was treated at the scene.
Charles Harris, a resident of North Little Rock, was a man known for his kindness and generosity. A trained chef, he had dedicated his time to caring for his mother and volunteering at his uncle's church, The Gathering of Love. There, he ran the soup kitchen, preparing and delivering meals to the homeless community. His uncle described him as a loving individual who was likely in the wrong place at the wrong time. The tragic nature of his death left his family and community in mourning, with the church's soup kitchen later being renamed in his honor.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Little Rock police launched a homicide investigation. They canvassed the area for evidence and appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the identification of a suspect or a motive for the drive-by shooting. At the time, authorities reported that they had not yet identified any suspects and the reason behind the violent act remained a mystery. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, details regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in the murder of Charles Harris have not been publicly disclosed in the years following his death. The case remains a painful and unresolved chapter for his loved ones and the community he served.
