Dallas police are investigating a shooting that took place at around 6:20 p.m. on Friday, according to a news release.
Police were called to the 10100 block of Rylie Road on March 31 for a reported shooting, the department said.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital in stable condition, according to police.
Dallas police identified the shooting suspect as 47-year-old Bernardo Betancourt. He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The case is documented under number 054300-2023.
While at the location, police discovered something shocking.
In what seemingly might have been looked into as another shooting by the Dallas Police Department, the investigation led to the discovery of thousands of roosters allegedly being used in cockfighting.
While at the scene, officers discovered a large number of roosters on the property, according to police.
Officers believe the birds were being raised at the location for fighting, police said.
The Animal Cruelty Unit responded to the scene and executed a search warrant on the property, according to police.
At least 2,000 birds were found to be on the property, along with cockfighting paraphernalia, police said.
The birds are being seized and cared for with the assistance of Dallas Animal Services, according to police.
No charges have been filed in the animal case at this time, and the investigation is in progress.
The Texas Animal Health Commission arrived at the scene Monday and is assisting in the case, according to police.
This investigation remains ongoing.
The incident took place in District 8, which is represented by Dallas City Council Member Tennell Atkins. While fewer people were assaulted in Atkins’ district, 12 individuals have been killed there, more than in any other city council district, as reported by The Dallas Express.
There have been over 1,800 cases of aggravated assault year-to-date in the City of Dallas, according to the Dallas Crime Analytics Overview dashboard.
