In the early morning hours of September 23, 2015, the life of 21-year-old Keith Wilbert Jr., a male student at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, was tragically cut short. He was inside his off-campus residence on Boone Street with his four roommates when events took a fatal turn. Around 2:15 a.m., three men reportedly broke through the front door, demanding money. In the ensuing chaos, Wilbert was shot in the chest.
While his roommates were unharmed, the intruders fled the scene, leaving a promising young life extinguished and a community in shock.
The initial investigation by the Pine Bluff Police Department pointed towards a home invasion and armed robbery. For months, the case progressed with few public developments, leaving the Wilbert family in anguish and seeking answers. Their pursuit of justice was relentless, as they publicly questioned the pace and direction of the investigation. In January 2016, a glimmer of hope appeared when police arrested 18-year-old Harold Magee in connection with the murder. Evidence had reportedly linked Magee to the crime, and it seemed as though a breakthrough had been made.
However, the family's hopes for a resolution were soon dashed. A judge found that there was not enough probable cause to charge Magee, and he was subsequently released from jail. This development was a significant setback for the investigation and a source of deep frustration for Wilbert's loved ones. In the years that followed, the case remained unsolved, prompting the family to appeal for help from the Arkansas State Police to bring a fresh perspective to the investigation. The family has offered a substantial reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Keith Wilbert Jr.'s death. Despite the passage of time, his family continues to advocate for justice, keeping his memory alive and holding out hope that those responsible will one day be held accountable.
