Two shootings that occurred at the same location just one day apart are being investigated by the Dallas Police Department (DPD).
Officers responded to a shooting last Friday afternoon around 3:45 p.m., where they found Donavon Jones, 19, shot outside a convenience store on the 7400 block of South Westmoreland Road. Jones later died from his injuries on Saturday, per NBC DFW.
Detectives believe that the shooter was Jacory Simpson, 23, who was also found shot in a nearby building. Simpson arrived at the hospital in critical condition. If Simpson survives, he will be charged with murder.
Taquan Cooks, 20, allegedly shot Simpson. He surrendered to officers and has been charged with assault causing serious bodily injury and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, per FOX 4.
Authorities think that Simpson and Cooks got into a fight in the parking lot on March 17. Cooks allegedly shot Simpson several times, according to FOX 4. Simpson then allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Jones in the head. It is unclear whether Simpson meant to shoot Jones.
Simpson then reportedly tried to leave through the store, climbing over the counter and possibly shooting himself in the process, according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by FOX 4.
On Saturday night, during a vigil for Jones, four more people were shot outside the store.
Investigators say a vehicle on Gannon Road pulled up to the store just before 9:20 p.m., and passengers began firing at people. Police said that members of the crowd returned fire with firearms of their own. Police are searching for a white Chrysler that may have been connected to Saturday’s shooting.
Jones’ mother was reportedly one of the four victims shot outside the convenience store that night. All four of the victims were taken to the hospital in stable condition, per FOX 4.
William Summers, a pastor at The Potter’s House CFM, witnessed the Saturday shooting. He stated that it was an eye-opening experience and that moments like these demonstrate the need for a church like his.
“It really does take a toll,” Summers added, per NBC DFW. “It’s an eye-opener. We realize where we’re at, we realize we have a purpose to meet the need. That’s what the church is for.”
DPD placed two officers at the shopping center on Sunday to discourage any further attacks.
Police are currently working to find the shooters and determine if the two incidents are connected. Anyone with information about either shooting is asked to contact DPD.
These incidents, which occurred in Council Member Tennell Atkins‘ District 8, come on the heels of a high-crime start to the year for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Dallas has seen a 22.73%% rise from 2022 in reported firearm murders, with DPD logging 54 such incidents so far in 2023.