On July 4, 2020 at 10 a.m., officers with the Hot Springs Police Department responded to the intersection of Mica and Maiden Street, in reference to a welfare check on a car parked with a male subject inside. Upon arrival, officers located a black male, later identified as Tristan Smith (23) of Hot Springs deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
On July 7, 2020, Detectives with the Hot Springs Police Department arrested Christopher Gipson (20) of Hot Springs for the murder of Tristan Smith. Gipson is charged with Capital Murder (Y Felony), Aggravated Robbery (Y Felony) and Theft by Receiving (D Felony).
Gipson is currently held at the Garland County Detention Center on a zero bond.
