A shooting in Old East Dallas on Sunday night left a toddler dead and a woman critically injured.
The incident unfolded on September 24 at around 9:30 p.m. on the 4700 block of Hay Street in Council Member Jesse Moreno’s District 2.
A crowd had gathered in the street while celebrating a birthday, but the festivities were cut short when an unidentified individual drove by the location and opened fire. The two individuals struck by gunshots were taken to the hospital by other people at the party.
While the unnamed adult female victim is now in stable condition, the 2-year-old Zyah Lacy was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital.
The investigation is still ongoing, and Dallas police have not disclosed whether they have any leads.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Detective Guy Curtis at 214-671-3633 or to reach out via email at [email protected].
The murder rate in Dallas continues to rise as the City struggles to recruit officers.
Data from the crime analytics dashboard show that there have been 184 homicides committed within city limits as of September 25, marking a 6.4% increase from those logged in the same period last year.
Dallas Police Department currently maintains a force of fewer than 3,200 sworn officers despite a City report previously advising that 4,000 on staff to provide adequate protection to residents.
Polls conducted by The Dallas Express among residents this summer suggest that the public has noticed this shortage, with 91.5% saying in July that there were not enough officers on patrol. Over half reported not feeling safe in public areas.
By comparison, neighboring Fort Worth patrols its city center with a dedicated police unit and private security guards.
“I heard the other day that there’s more people visiting the Stockyards in downtown Fort Worth right now than are going to San Antonio’s river walk,” said Metroplex Civic & Business Association CEO Louis Darrouzet in a previous interview with The Dallas Express.
Fort Worth’s downtown area also sees considerably less crime than Downtown Dallas, especially in terms of auto theft, burglary, and assault, as previously covered in The Dallas Express.
