In the days following a South Dallas shooting, police are working to uncover what happened that left one man dead and sixteen others injured.
When officers arrived at the 5050 Block of Cleveland Road in southeast Oak Cliff, they found 26-year-old Kealon Dejuane Gilmore lying near a stage with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Fifteen of the other victims were taken to the hospital and are believed to be in stable condition. One other victim was said to be in critical condition on Sunday morning. Their ages range from 13 to 29.
Police say a concert was promoted on social media for the second annual “Epic Easter Bike Out and Field Party,” scheduled for April 2.
According to WFAA, the crowd was furious because headlining rapper Big Boogie failed to appear at the concert. Someone fired shots into the air, which initiated a fight, and another individual fired a gun into the crowd shortly after midnight on April 3.
One of the victims, Breanna Gray, spoke with WFAA via Facetime as she is recovering from a gunshot wound to the leg.
“A guy was trying to protect me. He was covered over me,” said Gray. “I didn’t even feel the gunshot in my leg. I felt pressure, so I was just holding it.”
The woman said she was thankful to be alive as she has a 5-year-old daughter to care for.
Currently, no suspects are in custody, but an investigation is ongoing.
Seven off-duty Dallas officers were present at the event, working as security, but left about an hour before the shooting since they were only paid to stay until 11 p.m.
In a news conference on Monday, Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said the police were cleared for the off-duty job but should not have been because the event did not have the required city licenses. The department is working to discover the details of the incident.
“We’re working around the clock on this case, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families. And we have an incredible team working on this case to find those that are responsible,” said Garcia.
The police chief also added that off-duty officers would no longer be permitted to work events requiring a permit without proof of the permit. The new ordinance is effective immediately.