A Jacksonville man faces capital murder charges after a Friday night gun transaction spiraled into a fatal shooting, leaving one person dead in the street. The Jacksonville Police Department arrested 28-year-old Christopher Longhibler on Saturday, September 27, 2025, following a brief investigation into the incident near the intersection of Beverly and Caroline streets.
Police were called around 8:17 p.m. on September 26 to reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found 32-year-old victim Devon Poole lying in the roadway, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Poole was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
According to a police release, Longhibler had arranged to sell firearms to Poole and an unidentified accomplice in exchange for cash and narcotics. The three met in a rural area for the deal when, investigators say, one of the buyers pulled a gun, robbed Longhibler of the weapons, and fled the scene. As the pair ran, Longhibler allegedly fired at them, sparking an exchange of gunfire that struck Poole.
Longhibler was quickly located nearby and taken into custody without further incident. He faces one count of capital murder, a charge that could carry the death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted. No other arrests have been announced, and the second suspect remains at large.
“This was a tragic escalation of what started as an illegal exchange,” said Jacksonville Police Chief Brad Johnson in a statement. “We’re committed to a thorough investigation and holding those responsible accountable.” Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Jacksonville Police Criminal Investigations Division at 501-982-3191.
The shooting has rattled the quiet Jacksonville neighborhood, where residents expressed shock over the violence. “You hear gunshots sometimes, but this hits close to home,” said one local who asked not to be named. Poole, a father of two, was remembered by friends as “a good guy trying to get ahead.”
This incident marks the latest in a string of gun-related crimes in Central Arkansas, underscoring ongoing concerns about illegal firearms deals amid the opioid crisis. The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the probe, and updates are expected as more details emerge.
