Following a fatal stabbing and a separate shooting near DART stations, local leaders are once again expressing safety concerns.
Jadon Arlondo Hicks, 18, allegedly shot a victim during a robbery gone wrong at the Fair Park DART Station on February 3. Several days later, Sergio Naffarratte, 27, allegedly stabbed and killed two people during a fight outside the Deep Ellum DART Station on February 7.
City Councilwoman Cara Mendelsohn told The Dallas Express she was concerned about the violence.
“The shooting on the DART train at the Fair Park station and fatal stabbings at the Deep Ellum station are alarming,” Mendelsohn said. “I’d like to understand if DART Police or security were onsite.”
So far, six DART member cities – Farmers Branch, Highland Park, University Park, Irving, Plano, and Addison – have advanced withdrawal elections for May 2, as The Dallas Express reported. This follows mounting suburban concerns about the agency’s service and governance.
February 3: The Shooting
An altercation began at the Fair Park Station around 6:40 p.m. on February 3, according to Fox 4.
The Dallas Express has learned that the suspect, Jadon Hicks, reportedly tried to commit a robbery but was confronted beforehand, when he allegedly shot the victim. DART Police responded immediately, and the victim declined EMS treatment at the scene.
HICKS, JADON
Hicks was arrested and booked in the Dallas County Jail for aggravated robbery on February 5, according to jail records. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.
February 7: The Stabbing
Dallas police responded to a stabbing near 400 North Good Latimer Expressway, outside the Deep Ellum Station, as The Dallas Express reported at the time.
Investigators found Alyshah Punjani, 28, and Adrian Williams Jr., 30, were stabbed during a fight near 2600 Floyd Street – near the intersection of a liquor store, a nightclub, and the DART station. Responders brought them to a local hospital, but they ultimately died.
NAFFARRATTE, SERGIO
Dallas police later identified Sergio Naffarratte as the suspect. He was treated at a hospital for a minor cut, then booked in the Dallas County Jail for two counts of capital murder. Jail records show he is charged with “capital murder of multiple persons.”
Pattern of Safety Concerns
After the shooting, a user took to Reddit, claiming to have been on a nearby DART train at the time.
“Once we arrived at Pearl, a half a dozen cops boarded the train,” the user wrote. “According to one of the cops somebody had been held up at gunpoint on one of the trains… Not sure what happened exactly but it wasn’t exactly reassuring.”
Another user, claiming to work in the DART control center, corroborated the account.
“I’ll continue to take DART when going downtown and now to DFW on the Silver Line,” the initial user responded. “I’d feel better if there was more security though.”
DART crime statistics show the agency is off to a safer start this year.
Three victims died from shootings, and at least one was injured, on DART lines from September to December 2025, as The Dallas Express reported.
That year, Group A offenses – including arson, assault, robbery, and drugs – were up overall. However, so far in 2026, these crimes are down 20.2%. Specifically, crimes against persons are down 50%, crimes against property are down 39.58%, and crimes against society are up 15.8%.
Even still, the most recent violence has sparked concerns.
Local watchdog Damien LeVeck, who goes by “Dallas En Fuego” online, told The Dallas Express he would like to see a higher police presence around DART stations.
“The concentration of violent crime around DART stations is a tragic epidemic that neither DART officials nor Dallas leaders are motivated to resolve. How many more people have to be injured or murdered on our public transit lines before it’s taken seriously?” LeVeck said. “The solution is plain and simple: a concentrated and sustained police presence around DART stations.”
Member city officials have expressed repeated frustrations with crime and homelessness on the agency’s transit lines.
DART is currently negotiating with member cities ahead of the March 18 deadline to cancel withdrawal elections, as The Dallas Express reported.
Future of DART
This week, stakeholders will hold three key meetings about the future of DART.
On February 10, the DART Board will meet to discuss updates in negotiations and potential reforms.
On February 11, the Dallas City Council will likely vote on a resolution to give up the city’s long-time dominance on the agency’s board.
On February 12, the Regional Transportation Committee of the North Central Texas Council of Governments – which oversees billions in federal funding – will hold a workshop on scenarios in case cities withdraw from DART.
