FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Major Gary McClain

Office:  870.541.5351 / Cell: 870.329.5638

Email:  gary.mcclain@jeffcoso.org

JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE INVESTIGATING A HOMICIDE:  Jefferson County, Arkansas - December 19, 2021 - The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is in the early stages of a homicide investigation.

On Sunday, December 19, 2021 at approximately 5:53 p.m. Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to the area of Wilbur West Road near Bayou Bartholomew in regards to a body that was found by local hunters.

Deputies arrived shortly later and discovered the body of a black male on the roadway who had suffered from what appeared to be gunshot wounds.  The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene by Jefferson County Coroner Chad Kelly.  The identity of the victim is not being released at this time pending identification and notification of next of kin.

The body will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy by the State Medical Examiner to determine cause and manner of death.  The investigation is active and ongoing and more information will be released when it is available.