PAMPA, Texas — 48-year-old John “JJ” Mathis of Pampa has died after being shot at Recreation Park, while 28-year-old Christian Leith of Pampa has been identified as the suspect in the case. Potter County Justice of the Peace Precinct One Debbie Horn pronounced Mathis deceased shortly after 1:00 a.m. on August 12, 2026, and ordered an autopsy.
The Pampa Police Department said officers were called to Recreation Park, located in the 1600 block of East Highway 60, at approximately 9:45 a.m. on August 11 following a report of a shooting.
When officers arrived, they found Mathis suffering from a gunshot wound. He was airlifted to an Amarillo hospital in serious condition, but later died as a result of the injuries he sustained.
The Pampa Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Texas Rangers continued working to determine what happened and identify the person responsible.
During the investigation, authorities developed information identifying Leith as a suspect through witness statements, surveillance video, a Crime Stoppers tip, and automated license plate reader technology.
Based on the evidence gathered at that point, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Leith on a charge of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Authorities continued searching for Leith and his vehicle. During the afternoon of August 11, investigators received an automated license plate reader alert indicating that Leith’s vehicle had been detected near Wichita Falls.
Law enforcement agencies in the surrounding area were notified and asked to watch for the vehicle.
A subsequent ALPR alert showed that the vehicle was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 287 toward Decatur. The Decatur Police Department was notified and later located and stopped the vehicle.
Leith was taken into custody without further incident and subsequently booked into the Wise County Jail.
After authorities were notified that Mathis had died from his injuries, investigators obtained an additional arrest warrant charging Leith with Murder. Pampa police said Leith remains in custody at the Wise County Jail.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue working to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the events that led to Mathis’ death.
The case began as a shooting investigation Tuesday morning and developed into a homicide investigation following Mathis’ death early Wednesday.
Authorities have asked anyone who may have information about the shooting to contact the Top of Texas Crime Stoppers tip line at 806-669-2222.
The Pampa Police Department continues to work with other law enforcement agencies as the investigation moves forward. Additional information may be released as authorities are able to provide further details.
The charges against Leith are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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