East Texan Faces Murder Charge in Father’s Death in Mount Pleasant

MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas — Azion Jayden Harris, 19, of Mount Pleasant, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of his father earlier this week, according to the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

Police were called around 8 a.m. Monday to a residence on Red Springs Avenue after receiving a report of an unconscious man who was bleeding inside the home. When officers arrived, they found Rodney Harris, 51, deceased with what appeared to be gunshot wounds.

Detectives immediately opened a homicide investigation and later identified the victim’s son, Azion Jayden Harris, 19, of Mount Pleasant, as the suspect in the case.

Authorities said Harris was later located, detained, and booked into the Titus County Jail.

According to police, Harris has been formally charged with the following offenses:

• Murder

• Possession of a controlled substance

• Unlawful carrying of a firearm

The incident occurred inside a residence on Red Springs Avenue. Police have publicly identified the street where the shooting took place but have not released a specific house number.

Investigators noted that Harris is a former Mount Pleasant High School football player and is listed in online recruiting profiles as a 6-foot-4 outside linebacker from the Class of 2025.

The homicide investigation remains ongoing. At this time, police have not released a motive or additional details surrounding the circumstances that led to the shooting.

Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Mount Pleasant Police Department.