On the night of August 24, 2025, 19-year-old Gary Nichols was fatally shot outside the Ridge Apartments at 701 N. Oats Street in Texarkana, Arkansas. Multiple 911 calls brought police to the scene just after 11:00 p.m., where bystanders were attempting life-saving measures; officers continued aid until LifeNet EMS arrived but Nichols was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives and crime scene investigators responded and began piecing together events that led to the shooting.

A suspect was identified the same night. Authorities took 21-year-old Xavian Banks into custody and charged him with Murder in the 2nd Degree; he is being held at the Miller County Jail while the investigation remains ongoing. Nichols, born January 4, 2006, was remembered as a loving father, son, brother, and uncle who enjoyed music and sports and was a member of College Hill Baptist Church.

If anyone has information about what happened that night, please contact the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division.