Community reactions to Pine Bluff police reporting that a man killed his wife and himself after an argument in a liquor store parking lot

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas – Community members are speaking out after police said an argument in the parking lot of a Pine Bluff liquor store Monday morning ended with a man killing his wife and then himself.

Pine Bluff police officials said an argument at Cherry Street Liquor turned deadly when 58-year-old Gregory Christoper allegedly shot his wife, 44-year-old Mary Christopher, in the parking lot before taking his own life in Pine Bluff Regional Park.

Takeylaer White lives in the area and said she went to the store to see what happened and was devastated when she found out.

“I saw the police car out there and when I saw it, I thought, ‘Someone must have been shot,'” White said.

Police said Mary Christopher’s 8-year-old child was found unharmed in the back seat of her car in the store’s parking lot.

Gloves Not Guns trainer Albert Brewer said he was shocked to hear about the incident, adding that it all hits close to home for him as he works with children and families struggling with gun violence.

“I’m at a loss for words. I really am at a loss for words,” he said. “This is going to have a lasting impact, and it’s amazing because many of the people I deal with are used to violence, and this is not normal.”

Brewer is convinced that his only hope now is that the city leadership takes action to prevent further crimes.

“There is only so much I can do, but I believe the city also needs to do more and bring everyone to the table,” he said.

According to investigators, the motive for the shooting is unknown.