In the quiet hours just past 11:00 p.m. on August 24, 2025, the stillness of Texarkana, Arkansas, was shattered by the sound of gunfire at the Ridge Apartments on 701 N. Oats Street. The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department received a flurry of 911 calls, each one a desperate plea for help as a young life hung in the balance. What unfolded that night would leave a community grappling with grief and a renewed call for justice.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found 19-year-old Gary Nichols lying outside the apartment complex, a gunshot wound stealing his breath and his future. Amid the chaos, bystanders were already at his side, their hands working frantically to stem the tide of his injuries. The police quickly took charge, securing the area and offering emergency aid until LifeNet EMS arrived. Despite their efforts, the weight of the tragedy was too heavy—Gary Nichols succumbed to his wounds, pronounced dead at the scene under the stark glow of emergency lights.
The loss of such a young life sent ripples of sorrow through Texarkana, but the police wasted no time in their pursuit of answers. Detectives and the Crime Scene Unit descended on the Ridge Apartments, combing through evidence and piecing together the moments that led to this senseless act. Their swift investigation bore fruit that same night, leading them to 21-year-old Xavian Banks, identified as the alleged shooter. Banks was apprehended without incident and now faces charges of second-degree murder. He sits behind bars at the Miller County Jail, awaiting the next steps in a case that has gripped the community.
The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department has made it clear that their work is far from over. The investigation continues to unfold, with officers meticulously chasing every lead to uncover the full truth behind Nichols’ death. They’ve issued a heartfelt plea to the public, urging anyone with even the smallest piece of information to come forward. A single detail, they say, could be the key to bringing clarity and closure to this heartbreaking chapter. The Criminal Investigation Division stands ready to listen at 903-798-3154, a lifeline for a community seeking justice.
Gary Nichols was more than a name in a news report—he was a son, a friend, a vibrant 19-year-old whose life was cut short in an instant. His death has left an indelible mark on those who knew him, and the Texarkana community mourns alongside his family. As the investigation presses forward, authorities remain steadfast in their commitment to honor Nichols’ memory by seeking the truth and ensuring accountability.
In the shadow of this tragedy, Texarkana holds its breath, hoping for answers and healing. The road ahead is uncertain, but the resolve of a grieving community and its dedicated police force shines as a beacon of hope amidst the sorrow.
