Texas Man Fatally Shot After Softball Game Dispute; Family Claims Racial Slurs
Authorities are investigating the incident that left three other adults injured and drew accusations of racism from the victim's sister.
A dispute following a softball game in Humble, Texas, escalated into a fatal shooting Sunday, leaving a father of three dead and three other adults injured. Jarmon Mattix, 36, was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot in front of his wife and sister.
According to his sister, Destiny Williams, racial slurs were directed at Mattix before the shooting. "My brother was targeted and it’s just a devastating situation we’re in right now," Williams told KPRC. "My brother… didn’t have [a criminal] record. It’s the fact… sometimes being black, it can happen like that."
The altercation began during a softball game involving two groups and later moved to the parking lot, where four people were shot, according to Harris County homicide detective sergeant Sidney Miller. Children were reportedly among the witnesses. Williams stated she witnessed the shooter fire at her brother and that her sister-in-law attempted CPR.
The injured victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities have identified two suspects but have not yet filed charges. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed that the possibility of racial motivations will be investigated, calling the violence "senseless."
Williams urged law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation, emphasizing that race should not be a factor in such tragedies. "Black. Brown. White. Blue. It doesn’t matter. We all are people," she said.