A tragic incident unfolded on May 24, 2025, when 23-year-old college basketball player Jamarion Brown was fatally shot at a pool party in Camp County, Texas. Brown, a junior at Henderson State University in Arkansas, was attending the gathering when he was struck in the head by gunfire. Despite being airlifted to a hospital in Tyler, he succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities have arrested 17-year-old Onterrian Jamour Newton, also from Mount Pleasant, Texas, in connection with the shooting. Newton faces a murder charge, and additional charges are pending. Two other individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.
Brown transferred to Henderson State from Southwestern Christian College and had just completed his junior season, averaging 6.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He was remembered by his coach, Jimmy Elgas, as a passionate athlete and a beloved member of the university community. The university and its community mourn his loss deeply.
This incident adds to a series of shootings at social gatherings in Texas, highlighting concerns about gun violence at such events. In July 2022, a pool party in north Harris County turned deadly when 17-year-old Dillon Denman and 18-year-old Cameron Allen were shot and killed. An 18-year-old suspect, Jamil Early Syrie Jr., was later charged with capital murder in connection with the shooting.
Similarly, in June 2023, a pool party in Talty, Texas, ended in tragedy when a shooting occurred, leading to the arrest of 18-year-old Francisco Roberto Lozano, who was charged with capital murder.
These incidents underscore the need for increased safety measures and awareness at social gatherings, particularly those involving young people. Communities and authorities continue to grapple with the challenges of preventing such tragedies and ensuring the safety of attendees at public and private events.
