A Henderson State University student-athlete was the victim of a fatal shooting near his home town in Texas.
Jamarion “JoJo” Brown, 21, was reportedly among three people who were shot around midnight Friday, May 23, 2025, at a highly attended pool party near Pittsburg, Texas, about 12 miles south of Brown’s hometown of Mount Pleasant. Multiple shots were fired during the incident, which occurred in neighboring Camp County.
Brown was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Tyler, where he was pronounced dead sometime early Saturday morning. Two others suffered non-life-threatening injuries, East Texas Radio reported.
Following a request for assistance from the Camp County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Rangers are reportedly heading the investigation into the shooting, according East Texas Radio.
Brown played basketball for Henderson State, where he had played one season for the Reddies as a guard. The 2020 Mount Pleasant High School graduate transferred to Henderson from Southwestern Christian College ahead of the 2024-25 season.
“No words can express our sadness for Jamarion’s family, friends, and teammates,” Henderson State men’s basketball coach Jimmy Elgas said. “We lift them all up in prayer. Jo’s impact was felt not only on the basketball court, but throughout the fabric of Henderson State University, and we all grieve together. His loss leaves a tremendous void on our campus, but Jo will be remembered and honored in our hearts forever.”
In a statement posted to social media during the Memorial Day weekend, HSU’s Athletic Department said that Brown’s “warmth and welcoming personality made him one of the most recognizable and respected students at Henderson State among not only his peers, but by faculty and staff as well. His smile lit up a room, and his dedication and care for his friends shone through in all of his daily interactions.
“Between the lines, Jo was a fiery competitor and a beloved teammate. An integral part of the 2024-25 Reddie men’s basketball team, he carved out a role for himself through his toughness, work ethic, selflessness, and winning attitude. Jo epitomized the Reddie Spirit and brought honor to both himself and Henderson State in the way he played the game every time he took the floor.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Brown’s family with funeral expenses.
“He wasn’t just a standout athlete who excelled on the court,” survivors posted. “He was a young man of quiet strength, deep faith, strong love and a light that radiated far beyond his years. He was the kind of person who made you laugh, feel seen, valued, and at peace.”