A steep rise in murders is keeping the Dallas Police Department (DPD) busy this spring as they investigate yet another homicide that occurred on St. Patrick’s Day.

At about 12:35 a.m. last Friday, Dallas police officers responded to a call in the 1000 block of Pinnacle Park, according to a news release.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found a man lying face down in a field. The officers determined the man was deceased. The man’s body was taken to the Dallas Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination, according to police.

The Dallas Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the man died from homicidal violence. The man has also been identified, but his name has not been released pending next-of-kin notification.

Anyone with information regarding this offense is asked to contact Detective Yahir Perez by phone at 214-671-3584 or by email at [email protected] and reference case number 045129-2023.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DALLAS EXPRESS APP

The man’s body was found in Dallas City Council District 3, represented by Council Member Casey Thomas II.

Dallas is dealing with violent crime that has skyrocketed year-to-date, especially murder, which has increased to nearly 35%, according to a DPD report.

DPD also continues to face a serious shortage of rank-and-file officers, which could be contributing to the recent increase in violent crime.

A DPD public information officer, Michael Dennis, spoke to The Dallas Express about the number of personnel the department is currently maintaining.

“The Dallas Police Department currently has 3,075 sworn personnel with an authorized force of 3,200,” said Dennis.

“In 2023, we have hired 79 officers, with future academy classes planned, and continue to push forward toward our goal of hiring 250 officers for 2023.”

Dennis told The Dallas Express that DPD hosts an on-site hiring event twice a month at DPD Headquarters and that agency representatives will travel to New York City later this month to recruit for the department.

For more Dallas crime news, read about the presumed homeless person who was reportedly found dead in a local creek.