Fort Towson

Pearcy is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Garland County, Arkansas, United States. It was first listed as a CDP in the 2020 census with a population of 306.[2][3]

In 2009 the rural community became noted as the site of the Pearcy murders, said to be a "robbery gone wrong." On November 12, 2009, 80-year-old Edward Gentry Sr., his 56-year-old son Edward Jr., Edward Jr.'s 52-year-old wife Pam, Pam and Edward Jr.'s 24-year-old son Jeremy, and Jeremy's 19-year-old girlfriend were burglarized and shot to death in Pearcy. The charred bodies of the last four victims were found together in Gentry Jr's mobile home, which had been burned to destroy evidence. Samuel Conway and Jeremy Pickney were charged with murdering the family and a third suspect, Marvin Stringer, was killed in a shootout when police sought to arrest the suspects.[4] The motive was said to be revenge for 24-year-old Jeremy Gentry's having stolen tires and rims from Conway's older brother.[5] Conway was convicted of capital murder and aggravated burglary, and sentenced to life in prison without parole; Pickney pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

On April 25, 2011, a tornado associated with the 2011 Super Outbreak hit the Pearcy area, destroying houses in nearby Sunshine.[6]

Bruce Cozart, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from District 24, is a Pearcy native and a developer in Hot Springs.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
2020306
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
2020[8]

2020 census

Pearcy CDP, Arkansas – Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2020[8] % 2020
White alone (NH) 257 83.99%
Black or African American alone (NH) 4 1.31%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 5 1.63%
Asian alone (NH) 1 0.33%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 0 0.00%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 28 9.15%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11 3.59%
Total 306 100.00%

Education

It is in the Lake Hamilton School District.[9]

References