Dallas police still haven’t said whether the three Deep Ellum shootings that killed four people and wounded at least 15 others on Halloween night were connected. The gunfire broke out over about 75 minutes early Sunday, Nov. 1, in the city’s nightlife district, FOX 4 reported.
Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said Sunday that investigators had no information tying the scenes together but were still trying to find out, according to NBC 5. As of Tuesday, it remained unclear whether the shootings were related, KERA reported.
How The Night Unfolded
The first shooting happened about 12:20 a.m. in the 2600 block of Elm Street, police said. A second followed about 1:05 a.m. in the 2600 block of Main Street, and a third was reported about 1:35 a.m. in the 200 block of South Crowdus Street. Police shut down the neighborhood around 1 a.m., and CBS News Texas reported that five people were shot in a convenience store parking lot on Elm Street in an apparent altercation.
Outlets have reported different breakdowns of the deaths and injuries at each scene. The overall injury count could also change because some victims took themselves to hospitals. That total was “still moving a little bit,” Comeaux told reporters, according to CNN.
The Four Victims
All four people killed have been identified through medical examiner records and media reports, KERA reported.
Isaiah Boling, 20, was a father of two from Mansfield. His family told CBS News Texas that a group of men grabbed his sister near Elm Street, and that an argument involving Boling escalated to gunfire.
Kaniesa Scott, 21, was studying at Tarleton State University and planned to become a math teacher, her family told NBC 5. She died at Baylor University Medical Center, according to the medical examiner’s report cited by FOX 4.
Anthony Martin, 25, also known as Quincy McCleary, had gone to Deep Ellum with several of his cousins to celebrate Halloween, his sister told FOX 4.
Unique Elise Benjamin, 28, died in the 200 block of South Crowdus Street, FOX 4 reported. A friend told CBS News Texas that Benjamin, a certified nursing assistant originally from Chicago, was an innocent bystander.
What Police Have Said
Comeaux said the department had added officers ahead of the Halloween crowds. “We had more presence out here, and this was something that we were ramped up for,” he said, according to CNN. About four dozen officers were in the neighborhood that night, The Dallas Morning News reported.
The chief also praised the response. He said one officer ran toward the gunfire from less than two blocks away, and that an officer’s lifesaving care revived an injured person, NBC 5 reported.
Asked about a motive, Comeaux gave a one-word answer: “Arguments,” WFAA reported.
Comeaux said Sunday that people had been arrested and that investigators were working out how they tied into the shootings. Officers were still looking for additional suspects, CBS News Texas reported. As of Tuesday, Dallas police hadn’t confirmed any arrests in connection with the shootings, The Dallas Morning News reported.
“We’re going to do everything that we need to do to get everyone in custody that’s responsible,” Comeaux said.
A Federal Charge And Operation Deep Cover
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould announced a federal charge Monday against Treyveion Demby, 28, who was arrested in Deep Ellum that night. Demby is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He allegedly pointed a loaded handgun toward a crowd around 1 a.m. while wearing a black ski mask, then ran from officers after giving up the gun, according to FOX 4 and NBC 5.
Demby hasn’t been charged with carrying out any of the three shootings, The Dallas Morning News reported.
Raybould also announced Operation Deep Cover, which sends more uniformed and plainclothes officers into the district. It involves the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Texas Department of Public Safety and Dallas police, CBS News Texas reported. Prosecutors will also review Deep Ellum cases dating to 2024 for possible federal charges.
“If you’re thinking about committing a crime here, you will not know who is watching,” Raybould said.
Violence In Deep Ellum This Year
Deep Ellum is one of Dallas’ best-known entertainment districts, and several live music venues there had advertised Halloween events, CNN reported. The Halloween shootings were at least the fourth incident this year in which multiple people were hit by gunfire in the district, according to NBC 5.
In May, a pair of shootings left a security officer dead and five other people injured. Another shooting in August wounded three people on Elm Street, CBS News Texas reported.
What Comes Next
Investigators are collecting surveillance video and asking anyone with photos, videos or social media clips from that night to contact Sgt. Boz Rojas at 214-671-3598.
The Deep Ellum Foundation will hold community listening sessions with Mayor Pro Tem Moreno at the Deep Ellum Community Center at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, and 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, according to CBS News Texas.
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