Mother Arrested as Son Remains Wanted in Deadly Pine Bluff Shooting
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Police have arrested the mother of a homicide suspect as the manhunt continues for her son, who is wanted in connection with a fatal shooting on South Missouri Street.
Sparkle Bankston, the mother of 25-year-old Thomaz Johnson, was taken into custody on Wednesday on charges of hindering apprehension, according to the Pine Bluff Police Department.
Johnson is accused of fatally shooting 29-year-old Jimmie Epperson around 9:05 p.m. on September 23, 2025, at 615 South Missouri Street. Epperson was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Teddy Spivey.
Authorities are offering a $1,500 reward for information that leads to Johnson’s arrest.
Johnson is described as a Black male, 5’10” tall, and weighing approximately 160 pounds. His last known address was 2317 Belair Drive, Pine Bluff.
Anyone with information about Johnson’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Pine Bluff Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
