Pine Bluff, Arkansas – A Pine Bluff neighborhood became the scene of a violent confrontation on Wednesday evening that left one man hospitalized and two men facing serious criminal charges. The Pine Bluff Police Department confirmed the incident happened at about 8 p.m. on August 6 in the 2000 block of West 29th Avenue.
When officers arrived, they found 34-year-old Darren Brock near the intersection of West 28th Avenue and Cedar Street suffering from injuries consistent with birdshot wounds. According to authorities, Brock told officers that 42-year-old Derrick Bryant shot him during an argument outside a residence near the Stitch & Clean business on West 30th Avenue. Brock claimed the weapon used was a sawed-off shotgun.
Investigation Uncovers Weapons and Additional Charges
While assessing the victim’s injuries, officers noticed an unloaded 9mm handgun tucked into Brock’s waistband. Initially, Brock denied having a firearm, but detectives said he later claimed to have taken it from Bryant during a struggle. A criminal records check revealed Brock is a convicted felon, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm. As a result, Brock was charged with Possession of a Firearm by Certain Persons.
Officers quickly located Bryant at a nearby residence and took him into custody without incident. He has been charged with Battery in the First Degree in connection to the shooting.
Brock was transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center for medical treatment, while Bryant was taken for further questioning. Both men were moved to secure facilities as the investigation continued.
Crime scene technicians processed the area, recovering the handgun and collecting additional evidence. Police confirmed that the dispute, which escalated into gunfire, remains under active investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with further information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Pine Bluff Police Department Detective Division at (870) 730-2090.
The incident has drawn concern from residents in the area, who say gun violence remains a troubling issue for the community.
