HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A beloved Port Arthur ISD music teacher and coach was shot and killed while picking up his wife’s baby in northeast Harris County early Tuesday morning, investigators say.
Authorities identified the victim as 36-year-old Marlon Sanders, a music teacher at Porter Arthur ISD’s Adams Elementary School. Sanders was also a football and basketball coach, and a local musician known throughout the Port Arthur community for his warm personality and energy.
The shooting happened shortly after midnight in the 12700 block of Blue Timbers Court. According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, investigators believe Sanders and his wife went to the home of 38-year-old Gary Davis to pick up a baby his wife and Davis had together nine months ago.
Court records show that Sanders and his wife separated three years ago, then she began a relationship with Davis, and they had a baby. Sanders and his wife then reconciled following the birth of her baby, records show.
Neighbors described hearing a chaotic confrontation moments before gunfire erupted.
“I was upstairs watching TV, and all I hear is a woman screaming, Gary, give my baby, Gary, give my baby,'” neighbor Amber Howard said. “Then I heard two guns. After that, the woman was screaming, ‘You shot my husband, you shot my husband.’ I looked outside, and she was doing CPR.”
Investigators said Davis became upset during the exchange, stormed out of the house, and shot Sanders while he stood near his vehicle in the street. Sanders collapsed near the end of the driveway, officials said.
Another neighbor, Jasmin Nicholson, said the shooting stunned the community.
“It’s tragic,” Nicholson said. “We knew that gentleman there had a lot of anger issues.”
Neighbors said the gunshots sounded like fireworks.
“It had my ears ringing a bit,” Howard recalled. “It was just two shots.”
Davis was arrested at the scene and charged with murder, authorities said. He was then booked into the Harris County Jail, according to officials.
Late Tuesday, Port Arthur ISD shared a heartfelt tribute to Sanders on social media, remembering him as a cherished teacher, coach, singer, DJ, and mentor whose impact stretched far beyond the classroom.
“PAISD extends our deepest and most sincere condolences to the Sanders family and all who knew, loved, worked with, were taught or coached by, and enjoyed the talents of Marlon Sanders,” the district wrote. “Our beloved Adams Elementary School music teacher, Titans football and basketball coach, and singer/DJ/musician will be missed by so many.”
This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.