Earlier today, Mercer Bejorg McCoo Jr., 26 of Mount Pleasant, was arrested and charged with the murder of Gary Strawn, whose life was claimed in what Titus County Sheriff’s Office has called a “suspicious house fire” on Nov. 26, 2021, in the 100 block of County Road 3070.
According to reports, Strawn, a disabled military veteran, “selflessly took time to wake up his sleeping granddaughter and her friend … in time for the two girls to escape the residence before it was too late.”
The sheriff’s office said Strawn was unable to make it out and died before anyone was able to get him out of the home. As the house fire claimed Strawn’s life, Titus County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and an investigator were called to the scene.
Early on, investigators discovered possible indications that the fire may have been set intentionally. The Texas State Fire Marshalls were called to the scene the following day to inspect the remains of the residence.
McCoo was arrested in the 200 Block of Gibson Street in Mount Pleasant without incident and booked into the Titus County Jail where he awaits arraignment for the First Degree Felony offense.
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