Arrests Made Following Fatal Shooting of Jerry Beane in Fort Smith
FORT SMITH, AR — In the quiet hours of Friday morning, July 18, 2025, tragedy struck a Fort Smith neighborhood as gunfire shattered the calm, leading to the death of 39-year-old Jerry Beane. The Fort Smith Police Department has confirmed that arrests have been made in connection with the fatal shooting, which occurred in the 1300 block of North 38th Street.
Authorities were dispatched around 3:00 a.m. following reports of gunfire and a possible injured person. When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered the lifeless body of Jerry Beane outside a residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene, having suffered what investigators described as “multiple gunshot wounds.” The area was quickly secured as a crime scene, and detectives began their investigation into the city’s latest act of deadly violence.
Beane, a long-time Fort Smith resident, was known to many in the community. Friends and neighbors describe him as a devoted father and a man trying to better his life. His death has left family members and local residents reeling with grief and confusion, searching for answers to how a familiar face could be lost so suddenly and violently.
Over the past 48 hours, detectives have worked around the clock, conducting interviews, canvassing the area, and analyzing surveillance footage. Their swift and determined efforts culminated in multiple arrests, which Fort Smith Police confirmed late Saturday evening. Although authorities have not yet released the names of the suspects, they stated that those in custody are believed to be directly connected to the shooting and that the incident was not a random act of violence.
“This was a targeted act,” said Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker in a press conference. “Our investigators have moved swiftly to identify those responsible, and arrests have been made. We are confident we have the key individuals in custody, and our work continues to ensure justice is fully served for Mr. Beane and his loved ones.”
While police have not released a specific motive, they indicated that the shooting may have stemmed from a personal dispute or ongoing conflict. They also noted that further charges could be filed as the investigation develops.
The crime scene—a typically quiet residential street—was cordoned off for several hours Friday morning, with yellow tape draped across fences and crime scene units combing the area for evidence. Residents nearby were stunned, waking to flashing police lights and the sight of emergency responders flooding their neighborhood.
“I heard several loud bangs, then a car speeding off,” said one nearby resident, who asked not to be named. “It’s scary. This is usually a peaceful neighborhood. You never expect something like this to happen on your doorstep.”
Beane’s family has asked for privacy as they process their loss, but several relatives took to social media to remember him as a “gentle soul” and a man who “always put his kids first.” A makeshift memorial with flowers, candles, and handwritten notes has since been erected near the site of the shooting.
Community leaders have expressed condolences and urged residents to remain calm as justice takes its course. Local organizations are also stepping in to provide grief counseling and support services to affected neighbors and the victim’s family.
Authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information about the shooting to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the Fort Smith Police Department’s Crime Tip Hotline or online portal.
As the investigation moves forward and the suspects face the legal process, the Fort Smith community is left grappling with the loss of yet another life to gun violence. For the family of Jerry Beane, the pain is deep and the road to healing long. But with arrests now made, there is hope that justice will bring some measure of peace to those mourning his untimely death.