On July 16, 2024, at approximately 11:50 a.m., a tragic shooting occurred in Marshall, Texas, resulting in the death of 20-year-old Markel May. The incident took place near the intersection of Lafayette and East Grand Avenue, where a white Nissan, stopped at a red light, was fired upon by occupants of a maroon vehicle that had pulled alongside. Both May, a passenger in the Nissan, and the driver sustained gunshot wounds.
May succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while the driver was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Marshall Police Department launched an investigation that led to the arrest of 18-year-old Curtis White Jr., a resident of Marshall. White was charged with murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and deadly conduct discharge of a firearm. Authorities indicated that White and May were known to each other, suggesting a possible personal motive behind the attack. White was detained on a $1.2 million bond.
This incident is not the first time May's name has been associated with gun-related violence. In August 2021, he was among six individuals arrested following a shooting near Price T. Young Elementary School in Marshall. May, along with two other adults and three juveniles, faced charges of deadly conduct and engaging in organized criminal activity. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in that incident.
The July 2024 shooting has raised concerns within the Marshall community about the prevalence of gun violence and its impact on young lives. Local law enforcement continues to urge residents to come forward with any information that could assist in ongoing investigations, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in ensuring public safety. The investigation into May's death remains active, with authorities seeking to piece together the events leading up to the fatal encounter.
