A suspect is still at large after a murder committed Saturday night in northwestern Dallas.
Police received a shooting call around 11:20 p.m. The shooting occurred in Council Member Omar Narvaez’s District 6, in the 10900 block of Composite Drive. Upon arrival, officers found Nycholas Shields, 31, inside a vehicle. He had sustained at least one gunshot wound, according to the Dallas Police Department’s crime blog.
First responders with Dallas Fire-Rescue declared Shields dead at the scene, CBS News Texas reported.
Detectives determined that Shields was shot while at a stoplight, according to WFAA.
Murders have been on the rise in District 6, with the council district logging 16 murders this year as of September 10. Only 11 murders were recorded during the same period last year, according to the City of Dallas Open Data crime overview dashboard.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Narvaez’s district has also seen a sharp spike in prostitution-related offenses.
Citywide, murders are up 7.4%, with 175 criminal homicides reported by DPD so far this year.
DPD is currently facing a substantial staffing shortage of about 900 officers. A City analysis recommends the department maintain three officers for every 1,000 residents, putting an adequate staffing level at approximately 4,000.
The shortage has been felt in Downtown Dallas, which logs notably higher crime rates than Fort Worth’s downtown area. The latter is reportedly patrolled by a dedicated police unit and private security guards.
Shields’ murder case, filed under the case number 163000-2023, remains under investigation. Detectives are urging members of the public to offer any pertinent information.
Det. Jake Morgan is leading the investigation. Anyone with information about the shooting can contact him by phone at 214-425-9905 or via email at [email protected].
Additionally, Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for any tips that lead to an arrest and conviction of the suspect. Tips can be relayed at 214-373-TIPS (8477) or submitted online, per DPD’s blog.
Police reportedly do not have a description of the suspect, making any information offered by the public all the more important.