Arron Gilliam Identified as Victim in North Little Rock Shooting at 2600 John Ashley Drive; Cecil Brooks Jr. Wanted for Capital Murder in Jefferson Manor Apartments Homicide

The North Little Rock Police Department has officially released the identities of both the victim and the suspect in a fatal shooting that shook the Jefferson Manor Apartments community on Monday morning. The victim has been named as Arron Gilliam, a 29-year-old North Little Rock resident, while authorities have issued a capital murder arrest warrant for Cecil Brooks Jr. , 39, in connection with Gilliam’s death.

The shooting occurred at approximately 10:28 a.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, at the Jefferson Manor Apartments, located at 2600 John Ashley Drive in North Little Rock. Despite rapid response by law enforcement and emergency medical personnel, Gilliam was pronounced dead at the scene from at least one gunshot wound.

As of Tuesday evening, Cecil Brooks Jr. remains at large. The North Little Rock Police Department has urged the public to exercise caution and report any sightings of the suspect, who is considered armed and dangerous. The investigation is ongoing, and detectives have not yet released details regarding a possible motive or the relationship—if any—between Gilliam and Brooks.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the case, including the official police statement, background on the victim and suspect, the legal implications of a capital murder charge, community reactions, and the ongoing manhunt.

Official Police Statement: Identities Confirmed

In a press release issued Tuesday morning, the North Little Rock Police Department (NLRPD) confirmed the identities that local news outlets had been speculating about since the shooting.

Arron Gilliam , age 29, of North Little Rock, was positively identified as the deceased. Gilliam’s family has been notified, and authorities have requested that the public respect their privacy as they navigate this devastating loss.

Cecil Brooks Jr. , age 39, has been identified as the sole suspect in the homicide. An arrest warrant has been issued charging Brooks with capital murder , a Class Y felony under Arkansas law. The warrant was signed by a Pulaski County district judge following a review of evidence presented by NLRPD Major Crimes Division detectives.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Arron Gilliam during this incredibly difficult time,” the NLRPD statement read. “We are dedicating all available resources to locating Cecil Brooks Jr. and bringing him to justice. We ask anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact us immediately.”

Police have not disclosed whether Brooks and Gilliam knew each other, nor have they revealed what led to the shooting. Investigators are still processing forensic evidence collected from the apartment at 2600 John Ashley Drive , including shell casings, DNA samples, and any potential surveillance footage from the apartment complex.

The Victim: Who Was Arron Gilliam?

As news of his death spread, friends and family members of Arron Gilliam began painting a picture of a man who was deeply loved by those who knew him.

Born in North Little Rock in 1996 or 1997 (pending official records), Gilliam was a lifelong resident of the central Arkansas area. According to social media tributes and interviews with acquaintances, Gilliam was known for his warm personality, his loyalty to friends, and his close relationship with his family.

“Arron was the type of person who would light up a room,” said family friend Brittany Simmons, who had known Gilliam since high school. “He had a big heart. He was always laughing, always joking. He didn’t deserve this. Nobody does, but especially not him.”

Another friend, who asked to remain anonymous out of concern for their safety, described Gilliam as someone who was “trying to do better” and “stay out of trouble.” The friend suggested that Gilliam had recently started a new job and was focused on building a stable life.

“He wasn’t involved in any street drama,” the friend said. “He kept to himself. He loved his family. He loved his mom. He was just starting to really get things together. And now it’s all gone.”

Gilliam’s mother has not yet made a public statement, but a relative posted on Facebook: “My nephew was taken from us in the most senseless way. We are broken. But we will not rest until there is justice for Arron.”

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. A GoFundMe campaign organized by family friends has raised several thousand dollars to assist with burial costs and to support Gilliam’s immediate family during this time of crisis.

The Suspect: Cecil Brooks Jr., Wanted for Capital Murder

Cecil Brooks Jr. , 39, is now the subject of a multi-agency manhunt. The North Little Rock Police Department has released a physical description of Brooks in hopes that the public can assist in locating him.

Brooks is described as a Black male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, weighing between 180 and 200 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair. A photograph released by police shows Brooks with a short beard and a medium complexion. His last known address has not been disclosed, though investigators believe he may have ties to North Little Rock and surrounding Pulaski County communities.

The charge of capital murder carries immense legal weight. Under Arkansas Code § 5-10-101, a person commits capital murder if, with the premeditated and deliberated purpose of causing the death of another person, he or she causes the death of that person. Additionally, capital murder can apply if the killing occurred during the commission of a felony such as robbery, burglary, or kidnapping.

Because the shooting occurred inside an apartment, some legal analysts have speculated that Brooks may have entered the residence with criminal intent, which could elevate the charge from first-degree murder to capital murder. However, the NLRPD has not confirmed whether any additional felony was being committed at the time of the shooting.

If convicted of capital murder in Arkansas, Cecil Brooks Jr. faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. In cases involving aggravating circumstances—such as multiple victims, the murder of a law enforcement officer, or murder for hire—the death penalty remains a legal option, though executions are rare in the state. The last execution carried out in Arkansas was in 2017.

The Crime Scene: Jefferson Manor Apartments at 2600 John Ashley Drive

The Jefferson Manor Apartments at 2600 John Ashley Drive is a well-known residential complex in North Little Rock, situated not far from the Arkansas River and Interstate 40. The complex consists of several two-story buildings with exterior walkways, parking lots, and common areas.

On Monday morning, that ordinarily quiet complex became the center of a major police investigation. Officers arrived at 10:28 a.m. to find a chaotic scene: residents standing outside their doors, some crying, others looking on in shock. Inside the specific apartment unit—the number of which remains withheld by police—Arron Gilliam lay mortally wounded.

Witnesses who spoke to reporters described hearing what sounded like either one or two gunshots. “It was loud. Really loud,” said a resident who lives in an adjacent building. “At first I thought it was a car backfiring. Then I heard a woman scream. That’s when I knew something terrible had happened.”

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, claimed to have seen a man matching Cecil Brooks Jr. ’s description leaving the area on foot shortly after the gunfire. “He wasn’t running, but he was moving fast. He kept looking over his shoulder. I remember thinking that guy looks nervous. Then the cops showed up five minutes later, and it all made sense.”

Crime scene investigators spent the better part of Monday processing the apartment. They collected forensic evidence, photographed the scene, and interviewed neighbors. The body of Arron Gilliam was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock, where an autopsy will be performed to confirm the cause and manner of death.

The Investigation: What Police Know and What They’re Looking For

Detectives with the North Little Rock Police Department’s Major Crimes Division are leading the investigation. As of Tuesday evening, they have not released a motive for the shooting, nor have they confirmed whether Cecil Brooks Jr. and Arron Gilliam had any prior relationship.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or seen Brooks in the area around 10:28 a.m. on Monday to come forward. They are also seeking any surveillance footage from the Jefferson Manor Apartments or nearby businesses that might show Brooks arriving or leaving the scene.

“Even the smallest detail can be the key to solving a case like this,” said Sgt. Brian Dedrick, NLRPD public information officer. “Maybe you saw a car that seemed out of place. Maybe you saw someone acting strangely. Maybe you heard an argument. Whatever it is, please share it with us.”

Authorities have also begun the process of obtaining phone records and social media data belonging to both Gilliam and Brooks, standard procedure in homicide investigations to establish timelines and potential communications between the parties involved.

Legal Analysis: Understanding Capital Murder in Arkansas

The decision by prosecutors to charge Cecil Brooks Jr. with capital murder rather than a lesser offense such as first-degree murder or second-degree murder is significant. Legal experts say it indicates that the Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney’s office believes the evidence supports the highest possible charge.

“Capital murder is reserved for the most serious homicides,” explained Little Rock criminal defense attorney Michael Westbrook, who is not involved in the case. “Typically, you’re looking at either premeditated killing with aggravating factors—like the murder of a child, a police officer, or a witness—or a killing that happens during another violent felony. If you kill someone while robbing them, for example, that’s capital murder in Arkansas.”

If Brooks is captured and convicted, he faces life in prison without parole. The death penalty remains on the books, but it is rarely sought or imposed in Pulaski County in recent years. The last death sentence handed down in the county was in 2015, and that individual remains on death row.

Before a trial can occur, however, police must first locate and arrest Cecil Brooks Jr. The manhunt continues.

Community Reaction: Grief, Fear, and a Call for Justice

The Jefferson Manor Apartments community is reeling. Residents have expressed a mix of grief for Arron Gilliam and fear that the suspect remains at large.

“I don’t feel safe,” said one resident who lives in the same building where the shooting occurred. “This happened in broad daylight. Ten-thirty in the morning. And the guy is still out there. What if he comes back? What if he goes somewhere else?”

Others have focused on honoring Gilliam’s memory. A small memorial has been established outside the apartment complex, with flowers, candles, and handwritten notes. One note reads: “Arron, you were taken too soon. Watch over your family from heaven.”

Local community leaders have also spoken out. North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick released a statement expressing condolences and urging anyone with information to step forward.

“The loss of any life to violence is a tragedy, and the death of Arron Gilliam is no exception,” the mayor said. “I have full confidence in the North Little Rock Police Department to conduct a thorough investigation and to bring the person responsible to justice. In the meantime, I urge anyone who knows where Cecil Brooks Jr. is to contact law enforcement immediately.”

The North Little Rock Police Department has increased patrols in the area surrounding 2600 John Ashley Drive to reassure residents and to deter any further violence.

How the Public Can Help

The NLRPD is actively seeking tips from the public. Anyone with information about the shooting or the whereabouts of Cecil Brooks Jr. is urged to take action.

· Call the North Little Rock Police Department tip line: (501) 680-8439
· Contact the Major Crimes Division directly: (501) 771-7149
· Submit an anonymous tip to Central Arkansas Crime Stoppers: (501) 340-8477
· Online tips: Visit www.crimestopperscentralarkansas.org

A cash reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to Brooks’ arrest. Police emphasize that Brooks should not be approached by members of the public. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees him should call 911 immediately.

What Comes Next: The Search for Justice

As the investigation continues, the family of Arron Gilliam is left to plan a funeral and to grieve a life cut short at 29. Friends are organizing a candlelight vigil to be held later this week at Jefferson Manor Apartments , hoping to honor Gilliam’s memory and to draw attention to the ongoing issue of gun violence in North Little Rock.

For Cecil Brooks Jr. , the clock is ticking. Every hour that passes increases the likelihood that someone will recognize him and call police. The U.S. Marshals Service has been notified, and a federal warrant may be issued if Brooks crosses state lines.

The North Little Rock Police Department has vowed not to rest until Brooks is in custody. “We will bring him to justice,” Sgt. Dedrick said. “That’s a promise to the family of Arron Gilliam and to the people of this city.”

Conclusion

The death of Arron Gilliam at 2600 John Ashley Drive has left a void in the North Little Rock community. A 29-year-old man with family, friends, and a future is gone. His alleged killer, Cecil Brooks Jr. , remains at large, charged with one of the most serious crimes under Arkansas law.

As the manhunt continues, those who loved Gilliam are left to mourn—and to hope that justice will come swiftly. The days ahead will bring an autopsy, a funeral, and, eventually, a trial. But for now, North Little Rock waits, watches, and remembers a man taken too soon.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the North Little Rock Police Department immediately.