A tragic string of events during the holiday season has left one man dead and a community reeling from senseless violence. Francisco Manriquez, a 28-year-old father of three, was fatally shot on Christmas Day in Balch Springs in what appears to be a random act of violence. Manriquez's girlfriend, Josselin Morales, was present during the shooting and described the terror of the moment, recalling how she "couldn’t even look up at the time that they were shooting because everything was so fast", according to FOX 4 News.
The suspect in question, 45-year-old Corey Thompson, is not only connected to this tragic incident but has also been tied to a previous murder that occurred only five days prior. While on the run from authorities, Thompson was identified as the suspect in the Balch Springs shooting after his white Lincoln SUV was seen near the scene. This same vehicle had been previously linked to the murder of Roderick Butler in Uptown Dallas on December 20th, prompting an investigation to quickly ascertain whether Thompson was responsible for both crimes. Quoting a vigil for Butler, his cousin Michael Music said, "Just a senseless violence has taken him away from our family", per WFAA.
Now, Thompson faces charges as authorities wait for ballistic evidence to confirm his involvement in the death of Manriquez. The reality of random violence has sunk deep into the hearts of those affected, as the late Manriquez is remembered by his partner, Morales. "I’m going to miss him so much," Morales said. A similar sentiment was echoed by the community mourning the loss of Butler during the aforementioned vigil organized on Friday night, as per FOX 4 News.
As the investigation presses forward, Balch Springs Police and Rowlett PD are to jointly investigate a separate shooting incident in Rowlett. While the evidence is yet incomplete, the suspect in that case was similarly reported to be driving a white Lincoln SUV. Manriquez, who had recently earned his GED and was a loved father to his three girls, became a victim of what Balch Springs Officer Pedro Gonzalez described as having been in "the wrong place at the wrong time." This phrase, far too often repeated when discussing violent crimes, does little to soothe those keenly feeling the gap left by Manriquez's absence, as per WFAA.
Currently, Thompson is being detained in Dallas County Jail without bond, awaiting the next steps in a legal process that will seek to, at the very least, provide answers to a community scarred by his alleged actions.
