March 2023 Sunset Apartments shooting in Pine Bluff leads to new murder warrants

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Wednesday, October 14, the Pine Bluff Police Department announced a significant development in the investigation of a March 7, 2023, double homicide that killed Ashrray Thomas and Julian Tolbert. (Photo: PBPD)

1CommentShare storySharetopics: Pine BluffMurder warrantsSunset ApartmentsDouble homicideKavon BledsoeKenon SmithQuentine LoweGunshot victimsPINE BLUFF, Ark. (KATV) — Wednesday, October 14, the Pine Bluff Police Department announced a significant development in the investigation of a March 7, 2023, double homicide that killed Ashrray Thomas and Julian Tolbert.

Police said officers responded at about 8:57 p.m. March 7, 2023, to reports of multiple people suffering gunshot wounds at the Sunset Apartments, 2611 W. 34th Ave.

2 dead, 2 injured in Pine Bluff shooting; 21-year-old suspect in custody

When officers arrived, they found three gunshot victims inside a silver Chevrolet Malibu that had been hit by numerous rounds of gunfire.

Thomas and Tolbert died from their injuries, police said. A third victim, Aspen Thomas, was shot but recovered.

Investigators also learned a fourth gunshot victim, Chequan Brown, was located at Heritage Manor Apartments, 3127 Old Warren Road, police said.

The initial investigation led to the 2023 arrest of Kavon Bledsoe, 25, police said, and detectives continued working to identify and pursue charges against additional people.

Police said two additional suspects have now been served with murder warrants in the case.

Kenon Smith, 24, was taken into custody in Little Rock on Oct. 13, 2026, during the execution of a search warrant, police said. Smith has since been served with a murder warrant connected to the March 2023 double homicide.

Quentine Lowe, 22, was already in custody on unrelated charges, police said, and has now also been served with a murder warrant in the investigation.

Police said the case remained active more than three years after the shooting, and the department continues working to pursue accountability for the deaths of Thomas and Tolbert. Police also said the latest developments reflect continued investigative work, evidence gathering and collaboration among law enforcement agencies.

Chief Shawn Davis said, “We recognize that no arrest can undo the pain experienced by the families of Ashrray Thomas and Julian Tolbert. However, these developments represent another important step in the judicial process.”