Pine Bluff Domino’s Worker Charged With Murder In Shooting During Kitchen Fight

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – A Pine Bluff man accused of fatally shooting a 25-year-old man during a fight in the kitchen of a Domino’s Pizza last month was formally charged Monday with second-degree murder.

Jerry Henderson, 50, is accused of killing Jarvis Bowden on Aug. 2 at the Domino’s in the 2300 block of South Olive Street. Henderson was arrested at the scene and booked on a first-degree murder charge, but prosecutors filed the case in Jefferson County Circuit Court as second-degree murder, court records show.

Officers were sent to the restaurant at about 7:28 p.m. to investigate a reported shooting, according to a probable cause affidavit. They found Bowden lying on the kitchen floor with an apparent gunshot wound while a woman performed CPR.

Officers continued life-saving measures until paramedics arrived. Bowden later died from his injuries, the affidavit said.

Officers detained Henderson at the scene and secured a black Taurus .357-caliber revolver that was allegedly in his possession, the affidavit said.

Witnesses consistently told investigators that Bowden was in a physical altercation with a female employee while a second female employee tried to separate them, according to the affidavit. The witnesses said Henderson was not involved in the altercation when he allegedly pulled out the revolver and shot Bowden.

Henderson agreed to speak with detectives after being advised of his rights. He allegedly said he was trying to break up the fight and that he aimed at Bowden’s shoulder, but Bowden turned before the shot was fired, the affidavit said.

Video footage showed Bowden running toward the female employee in the back of the restaurant immediately before the shooting, the affidavit said. Bowden was struck by a gunshot and collapsed to the floor.

The Pine Bluff Police Dept. identified Henderson as a Domino’s employee when it announced his arrest.

Second-degree murder is a Class A felony in Arkansas, punishable by six to 30 years in prison. The charging document alleges Henderson knowingly caused Bowden’s death “under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life.”

A Pine Bluff district judge set Henderson’s bond at $200,000 the day after the shooting, Deltaplex News reported. A circuit judge’s order signed Monday sets bond at $50,000 and notes the amount was changed by the prosecuting attorney’s office.

Henderson remained in the W.C. “Dub” Brassell Detention Center on Monday, jail records show.

Prosecuting Attorney S. Kyle Hunter filed the charge. An attorney of record was not listed Monday for Henderson, and no court date has been set.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Alex Guynn.