In Pine Bluff, Arkansas, a gathering of teenagers on the evening of May 23, 2015, took a tragic turn, resulting in the death of 19-year-old Joshua Campbell. The young Black man was fatally wounded inside a residence located near 13th Avenue and Linden Street. The cause of his death was determined by the Jefferson County Coroner to be a single gunshot wound.
This incident marked the fourth homicide in Pine Bluff for that year.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting point to an accidental yet reckless act. A group of juveniles was reportedly handling a small caliber pistol when the weapon discharged. At approximately 7 p.m., the Pine Bluff Police Department received a call about the shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Campbell deceased inside the home.
As officers began their investigation at the scene, a 14-year-old boy, who had been among the group, approached them. He admitted to playing with the firearm when it went off, striking Campbell. The teenager was subsequently arrested and faced a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting.
