A late-night argument outside a convenience store in East Oak Cliff erupted into a gunfight yesterday, leaving a man in serious condition and a gunman on the run. The shootout unfolded in the 2100 block of East Ledbetter Drive, where an exchange of gunfire broke out after a dispute between the victim and another man.
People at the scene did not wait for an ambulance. They rushed the wounded man to a nearby Dallas Fire-Rescue station, and from there, paramedics took him to a local hospital. The suspect took off and has not been found, while detectives spent the night combing through the area for clues.
Officers were first alerted when firefighters notified police that someone had been dropped off at the station with gunshot wounds. Investigators then traced the gunfire back to a convenience-store parking lot less than a quarter-mile away, according to FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth. Dallas police told the station the confrontation started as an argument between the victim and another man that spiraled into an exchange of shots.
Authorities have not released the name of the victim or the suspected shooter. Detectives are asking anyone who saw the argument, heard the shots or has any other information to come forward.
Oak Cliff Safety Concerns
This parking-lot shootout is the latest in a series of late-night flare-ups at gas stations and convenience stores in East Oak Cliff, a pattern that has residents and business owners on edge. Earlier coverage of an incident where shots flew at an Oak Cliff gas station in November highlighted similar worries about recurring violence and the strain it puts on the neighborhood.
How To Help Investigators
Police say they need help filling in the gaps. Anyone with information, security-camera video or dash-cam footage from the area is urged to contact the Dallas Police Department or Crime Stoppers. Tips can be submitted online, and anonymous callers can reach Crime Stoppers at 1-877-373-TIPS. For contact details and WebTips, visit the Dallas Police Department.
