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Dallas Police Arrest 18-Year-Old in Deep Ellum Halloween Mass Shooting; More Arrests Expected
Dallas police have arrested 18-year-old Justin Murdock for capital murder in connection with one of three Halloween night shootings in Deep Ellum that left four dead and 15 injured. Chief David Comeaux said more arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
Dallas police have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with one of the three Halloween night shootings in Deep Ellum that collectively killed four people and wounded 15 others, the department announced Thursday.
Justin Murdock was taken into custody late Tuesday and faces a charge of capital murder of multiple persons in the shooting on Crowder Street, where three people were killed in the early hours of Nov. 1. Police said detectives identified Murdock through witness statements, surveillance video, photographs and other technology before obtaining an arrest warrant.
At a Thursday afternoon press conference, Police Chief David Comeaux said the arrest represents a significant step in an investigation that has stretched nearly two weeks. He said additional arrests are expected and urged anyone with information about the shootings to come forward.
The Crowder Street shooting occurred in the 200 block of South Crowder Street. Officers arriving at the scene found three people shot; two died at the scene and a third died at a hospital.
The four people killed across the three shootings were identified as Isaiah Boling, 20; Kenesia Scott, 21; Anthony Martin, 25; and Unique Benjamin, 28.
A separate arrest was made Nov. 4, when David Yancy, 31, was taken into custody after admitting he fired into a crowd from a parking lot on Main Street, according to police. Seven people were injured in that shooting.
Police have also asked for the public's help identifying three people seen on video leaving the area around midnight, who investigators believe may have information about the shootings.
In the wake of the violence, Comeaux has promised changes to security in Deep Ellum. The department said more than 50 officers were assigned to the area on Halloween night, and visitors can expect to see more visible police presence as well as undercover officers.
Some business owners and city leaders have called for a juvenile curfew in the entertainment district. Street closures have also been a point of contention: one bar owner shared a traffic map showing extended closures enforced by police, and some business owners said the restrictions went too far by limiting access to parking and potentially discouraging visitors. Others welcomed the additional security.
The investigation remains ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information about the shootings to contact the department.