Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Double Homicide/ House Fire

Texarkana Arkansas Police are investigating what is believed to be a double homicide. The incident was discovered at 4:55am when officers and firemen responded to a report of a house fire at 1924 Pecan Street. Once at the scene it was discovered that the two story house was fully engulfed in flames. The structure was beginning to collapse in on itself as well.

After the fire was extinguished investigators discovered two bodies inside the remnants of the house. The bodies are believed to be those of a white male and a white female. The victim's bodies have been sent to the state medical examiners' office in Little Rock for autopsy. Identification is being withheld at this time pending a medical examiners report. There was evidence at the scene which indicated that this was in fact a possible homicide and the incident is being investigated as such at this time.

While officials were at the scene of the house fire, a separate vehicle fire was called in from the 2200 block of Magnolia Street in Texarkana, TX. It was discovered that the vehicle tag returned to one of the individuals who is believed to be a victim from the Pecan street fire. The vehicle had been abandoned and was towed by police for processing as evidence. The vehicle is described as a white 2003 Ford Focus with Texas tags. The vehicle would have been in and around the area of 2200 Magnolia at aproximately 5:00am to 5:30am on this date.

At this time there is no known motive for this crime and suspect information is still being developed. Investigators urge anyone with any information relating to the occupants of 1924 Pecan Street or the Magnolia Street vehicle fire to call the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department at (903)798-3181 or CrimeStoppers at (903)793-STOP. CrimeStoppers will pay up to $1000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for this crime.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.