Legend News And Obituary

The quiet of a Saturday afternoon in Ferris, Texas, was shattered by a sudden burst of gunfire at Jerry Watson Park, where a vibrant 17-year-old named Sir Robert Wesley Dixon lost his life. The tragedy unfolded just before 2 p.m. on May 10, 2025, in the 300 block of Donna Drive, leaving a community grappling with grief and a family forever altered. Sir, a student at Ferris Independent School District, was known for his bright smile and aspirations to become a barber, a dream that was extinguished in an instant during a chaotic brawl that spiraled into a deadly shooting. Another juvenile was injured in the incident, treated at a local emergency facility, and now faces a long road to recovery. The senseless violence has left residents of this small town, straddling Dallas and Ellis counties, searching for answers and healing.

The altercation began as a physical fight among a group of more than 10 individuals, a mix of juveniles and young adults, some of whom were reportedly involved in an ongoing dispute. What started as a clash of fists escalated when multiple individuals drew firearms, transforming a heated argument into a deadly exchange of gunfire. Sir was struck in the neck, a wound that proved fatal despite the swift response of Ferris Department of Public Safety EMS. The second victim, a juvenile whose identity remains protected, was fortunate to survive but carries the physical and emotional scars of that day. City-installed surveillance cameras at Jerry Watson Park captured the harrowing sequence, providing investigators with critical evidence to piece together the events and identify those involved. The footage, though not yet released to the public, has been instrumental in the rapid progress of the investigation.

Ferris police have moved decisively, arresting five individuals in connection with the shooting. Among them is Sir’s twin brother, 17-year-old Mister Dixon, who faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful carry of a weapon. Authorities say Mister retrieved a gun that had been in Sir’s possession and fired multiple rounds toward the juvenile believed to have shot his brother, injuring another bystander in the process. The juvenile suspected of firing the fatal shot faces a murder charge, though their identity remains confidential due to their age. On Monday, May 12, 17-year-old Julianna Jazzlean Pargas was apprehended in Lancaster at a family member’s home, charged with tampering with physical evidence. Another juvenile, linked to the incident through an outstanding warrant, was also taken into custody that day. The fifth arrest came on Tuesday, when 32-year-old Donald Lofton Jr., a relative of both Sir and the juvenile charged with aggravated assault, was detained in Waxahachie. Lofton faces charges of failure to report a felony and tampering with evidence, accused of attempting to obscure the truth in the aftermath of the shooting.

Investigators have uncovered significant evidence, including a firearm believed to be the murder weapon, found in a vehicle occupied by the juvenile murder suspect and others at the time of the incident. The vehicle, registered to an 18-year-old female, was impounded, and the gun is undergoing forensic analysis to confirm its role in the tragedy. Multiple search warrants have been executed, and authorities anticipate further arrests as they continue to process evidence and interview witnesses. Ferris City Manager Brooks Williams, also a chaplain, has called for accountability and unity, emphasizing the profound impact on the community. “So many young lives forever changed because of the consequences that will come from that,” he said, his words echoing the collective sorrow of a town in mourning.

Ferris ISD, where Sir was a student, issued a heartfelt statement, offering condolences and support to his family and friends. The district has mobilized counseling services and local pastors to help students and staff navigate the grief, urging the community to come together in compassion. A vigil organized by community member Dante King honored Sir’s memory, with tributes highlighting his journey from a young boy to an upstanding young man with a promising future. Neighbors, shaken by the violence, expressed their dismay. Scotty Parker, a resident who heard the gunshots while cooking in his backyard, called the incident “shocking,” while another, Shantae Garnett, lamented the futility of such conflicts, noting they are often “over nothing.”

The investigation remains active, with police scrutinizing the roles of other adults present at the scene, some of whom allegedly encouraged or intensified the conflict. As Ferris grapples with this tragedy, the community is left to reflect on the fragility of life and the urgent need for unity in the face of such loss. For Sir’s family, friends, and the town he called home, the path to healing will be long, but the memory of a young man with a bright future will endure.

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