The Arlington Police Department reported the arrest of Jahlen Owen, 24, in connection with the fatal shooting of Desmond McKay, 19, on June 2, 2025. McKay was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot of an apartment complex on the 2700 block of Castle Gardens Drive and succumbed to his injuries after being taken to the hospital. According to the report by the Arlington Police Department, Owen was booked on one count of Capital Murder.
Witness testimony and detective work revealed that McKay had mentioned spending the evening with a friend from welding school before the incident. Arlington Police Department's report stated that this individual was later identified as Owen. The two men reportedly drove to the location in McKay's vehicle to pick up another friend, who lived at the complex, but the shooting occurred before they reached their destination.
The investigation took a turn when McKay's vehicle, a 2016 Chrysler 200, was found abandoned in Dallas, recovered across the street from Owen's residence. Owen later approached officers at the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center, seeking to discuss a murder case. After waiving his rights, Owen provided a voluntary confession to detectives, detailing his involvement in McKay's death.
The initial response to the shooting occurred on June 2nd at roughly 10:56 p.m. First responders found McKay unresponsive. Witnesses described a conflict involving an attempt by the victim to impede the other person, presumably the shooter, from driving away. Owen's subsequent arrest happened after following up on the leads, with detectives piecing together the events that led to McKay's tragic end. He is currently being held at the Tarrant County Jail, awaiting further proceedings.
While the investigation by the Arlington Police Department continues, they encourage anyone with additional information to contact Detective Stafford at (817) 459-5739 or to tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County at (817) 469-8477. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will be responsible for releasing the name of the deceased, Desmond McKay.
