Pine Bluff community comes together after teen shot and killed

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The Pine Bluff community is coming together after a 16-year-old was shot and killed early Sunday morning. 

According to Pine Bluff Police Department officials, the shooting occurred at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Pine Bluff. A group of people were gathered at the park when an altercation started, and someone started shooting.

The PBPD said a shooting victim was taken to the Jefferson Regional Medical Center around 1:45 a.m.

The victim who died was a 16-year-old. While another victim involved in the incident arrived at JRMC and is stable, officers also said other people were treated for non-gun related injuries. 

Although police have not named the teen, family and friends confirm his name is Tyler Lamar Thornton.

Tonya Spicer says her son was very close with Thornton and her family is deeply hurt by Thornton’s death. 

“If he wasn't home, he was at my house like he was with my son all the time,” Spicer said. “We are just praying for his family.”

Spicer's daughter, Da’Naijah Turner says it doesn’t feel real that Thornton is gone. 

“It feels more like a nightmare. Honestly because it was s...