A shooting led to the death of a 23-year-old in Dallas last month, and his family is still picking up the pieces from the tragic incident.
Despite the modest gains made in reducing violent crime, murders remain stubbornly high in Dallas. According to the City’s crime analytics dashboard, there have been 122 murders committed this year as of August 2.
Black and Hispanic individuals have been vastly overrepresented among murder victims in Dallas. They currently make up a combined 82.8% of all victims, per the City’s victim demographics dashboard. In addition to murders, they also comprise the overwhelming majority of assault victims.
Here’s some of what Fox 4 KDFW reported on the heartbreak of the Louisiana family that lost their loved one in Dallas:
The family of a man shot and killed in Dallas last month made the drive from Louisiana to Texas to pack up their son’s apartment.
Charles Dennis III, known as Chuck, was killed as he walked down Munger toward his Hall Street Flats apartment in Old East Dallas.
Police say Dennis was not the intended target of the bullets when the shooting broke out at the Roseland Homes Housing Community on July 18.
His family is now pleading for answers as they try to pick up their now broken lives.
“I thought I was prepared, but as I got even closer to the hotel where we’re staying, the anxiety started rising in me,” said Meeka Dennis, Chuck’s mother. “The emotions started taking over. Never in my wildest dreams I thought I would be going through this right now.”
More than 50 rounds were recovered in the shooting. Dennis was shot in the crossfire three times.
The 23-year-old had walked to the convenience store down the street for his usual snacks: Coke Zero and candy.
“He had his snacks in his bag and his drink in his hand,” said his mother.