Peter Elijah Parker, 24, was shot and killed on July 13, 2023, inside a residence on Pharm Hills Road in Mabank, Texas. Officers found Parker with a gunshot wound to the head; he was transported to UT Health in Gun Barrel City but was pronounced dead shortly afterward. Parker, known as Eli, was a former firefighter with the South Van Zandt Fire Department and a 2017 graduate of Martin’s Mill High School.

He was remembered for his love of basketball, firefighting, and music, and for an infectious smile and compassionate nature. During the investigation three males who had been at the scene were interviewed; a juvenile male was taken into custody and charged with manslaughter, a second-degree felony, and booked into the Van Zandt County Juvenile Detention Center.

If anyone knew Eli or has information about what happened that night, please share what you know.