An 18-year-old capital murder suspect is dead following a Wednesday shootout with the Dallas Police Department Fugitive Unit.
Joey Fraire died on January 25 at around 3 p.m. after members of the Fugitive Unit, allegedly returning fire, shot him at the Bahama Glen Apartments, according to a news release.
Fraire was identified by the Fugitive Unit for a capital murder warrant out of Farmers Branch. He was one of five suspects wanted in the slaying of 50-year-old Ramon Lemus Zapata on October 13, 2022.
Officers located Fraire on Wilbur Street around 2 p.m. He was in the front passenger seat of a car driven by an unknown male, according to police.
Members of the Fugitive Unit task force tailed Fraire for about an hour, following the suspect to the Bahama Glen Apartments, where they attempted to take him into custody.
Police deployed drones and used a distraction device, a flash-bang grenade, so the driver and Fraire would exit the vehicle.
DPD has implemented drones in various roles, including surveillance, despite concerns some have regarding privacy, as reported by The Dallas Express.
The driver complied with the officer’s command and was taken into custody, but Fraire allegedly refused to exit the vehicle or listen to the officers’ commands.
Officers ordered Fraire to step out of the vehicle, but the drone unit apparently spotted a handgun in Fraire’s right hand and announced it over the radio, based on bodycam footage released by the Dallas Police Department.
When Fraire allegedly still refused to show his hands, officers used pepper ball rounds, police said.
After officers used a second flash bang, Fraire allegedly opened fire.
One officer was struck by a bullet in his left foot, according to video footage. “I’m hit, I’m [expletive] hit,” the officer said.
Another officer rushed over to apply a tourniquet to the officer who had been shot.
Officers returned fire, striking Fraire multiple times.
Fraire ran from the car but fell to the ground and dropped his weapon.
Once he was down, members from the task force administered first aid until Dallas Fire-Rescue arrived on the scene.
Fraire was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, according to police.
The officer that suffered from a gunshot wound to his left foot was taken to a hospital and released after being treated.
No other injuries have been reported.
Police searched the vehicle and reportedly found a second weapon near the driver’s seat. Officers said the second weapon was modified with a Glock switch.
A Glock switch is an illegal modification that enables a semi-automatic handgun to function as a fully automatic weapon.
The investigation is ongoing and is being led by the Dallas Police Special Investigations Unit.
Police notified the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Community Police Oversight, both of which responded to the scene and will conduct their own investigation.
The incident occurred in District 1, represented by Dallas City Councilman Chad West, who was named The Dallas Express’ Crime Boss of the Month four different times in 2022.