New details in Pooler murder case: Convicted killer indicted in wife’s November homicide

POOLER, Ga. (WTOC) - A Pooler man has been indicted in connection with the November shooting death of his wife on Arnold Street — and court records reveal he is already a convicted killer.

48-year-old Christopher Jenkins has been indicted for shooting and killing his wife, 48-year-old Montique Jenkins, during a November 1st incident at their home.

Pooler Police were originally dispatched to the intersection of Arnold Street and Symmons Street after receiving reports of a shooting there.

You can find that coverage here.

While en route, officers heard over the radio that a sergeant was already in the area and requested emergency medical services immediately.

Upon arrival, officers found Montique Jenkins lying on her back in a yard with several people standing nearby, including her child.

A juvenile on scene identified the victim as her mother and told officers her parents had been arguing prior to the shooting.

The child said her mother had left the house before she was shot and identified Christopher Jenkins as the shooter.

A witness told police he was in his front yard when he heard yelling followed by gunshots. He said he went to check and saw the woman lying on the ground with a child standing nearby. He also reported seeing someone flee the area in a truck.

Police secured the scene as detectives searched for shell casings, reviewed nearby surveillance video, and collected evidence. Officers escorted the juvenile away from the victim while obtaining additional information. Crime scene tape was placed around the surrounding area.

A short time later, police were notified that the suspect’s vehicle had been spotted on Highway 21 heading toward Effingham County.

Records reveal his wife lived on that street, but he no longer did, according to his jail records.

Pooler Police Criminal Investigation Division detectives arrived on scene and were briefed on the case. Shortly after, authorities were notified that the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office had located the suspect and vehicle. Jenkins was then taken into custody.

Pooler Police assisted Effingham County deputies with transferring custody of Jenkins. Officers remained on scene until the investigation was complete and the area was cleared.

Newly filed records show Montique Jenkins had filed for divorce roughly two months before her death, citing infidelity. She dropped that divorce filing two weeks before she was killed.

On social media, the victim’s family described the shooting as a domestic violence situation. The couple shares multiple children together.

Her children have started a GoFundMe in the meantime.

The police report also reveals officers believe he was drinking that night.

In addition to the murder charge, Jenkins was also indicted for pointing the same shotgun at another family member inside the home that night.

Court records further reveal Jenkins has a prior homicide conviction dating back to 1999.

He was convicted of killing Rodney Atkins on September 15th, 1999, around 3 in the morning.

Past police reports from that time reveal officers responded to a shooting at 636 Fellwood Homes. Atkins was shot once in the temple while inside a car with Jenkins.

The police report says the night of his death was the first time the two men had ever even met. However, they both lived on East 32nd Street at the time, but .4 miles apart.

He eventually pleaded guilty to killing Atkins. He served time for Voluntary Manslaughter and was supposed to serve an 18-year sentence. He served from 8/2000-11/2013, according to the GDC.

Montique married Christopher in 2014.

He was arrested again in 2016 for parole violation, criminal trespass, reckless conduct, and simple battery by the Savannah Police. He bonded out a month later.

He was arrested months after that in the Summer of 2017, and bonded out 2 months later on 3 counts of cruelty to children, and terroristic threats and acts.

In 2022, he was arrested again for terroristic threats and acts, along with obstruction. He bonded out the next day. That case in itself is scheduled for a jury trial this April.

He got a DUI 6 months before being charged in his wife’s death.

He’s indicted on malice murder, felony murder, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony 4x, 2x aggravated assault,

Jenkins’ current charges in his wife’s murder will now continue in Superior Court. His arraignment is set for March.

The investigation remains ongoing, and we’ll continue following this case as it moves through the court system.