Last Saturday, Ferris' Shaw Creek neighborhood turned into a nightmare when a very young child got hold of a gun inside a home and fatally shot another child, according to local officials. Ferris Department of Public Safety said the shooting happened in the Shaw Creek area near Tidwell, described it as an isolated incident, and noted that an adult who initially left the scene was later tracked down and taken into custody as investigators moved in.
In a social media post, the Ferris Department of Public Safety called the shooting a “tragic incident” and added, “Our hearts are with the child, the family, and everyone impacted by this devastating loss,” according to NBC 5 Dallas‑Fort Worth. The department also said that criminal charges are being pursued in connection with the firearm and the actions taken after the incident.
Investigation and possible charges
Investigators told reporters that a “very young child gained access to a firearm” inside the home and shot the other child. Officials have not released the names or ages of those involved while the inquiry continues, per The Dallas Morning News. According to the outlet, charges under consideration include making a firearm accessible to a child, along with other potential offenses tied to what happened after the shooting.
Arrest details
City officials and local media identified the man taken into custody as 24‑year‑old Takievon Holmes. Authorities say he left the scene after the shooting, was later arrested, and is being held at the Wayne McCollum Detention Center on allegations that include tampering with physical evidence and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to FOX 4 Dallas‑Fort Worth. Police said more charges could follow once all the evidence is reviewed.
Who’s investigating
Ferris DPS said the Texas Rangers, the Ellis County Sheriff's Office, and the Ellis County District Attorney's Office are all assisting with the investigation and that there is no ongoing threat to the public, per CBS News Texas. Officials are asking anyone who may have information or video from Saturday to contact Ferris DPS as the case moves forward.
Legal context
Prosecutors will make the final call on what charges to file once investigators present their full findings to the district attorney's office. Local reporting notes that any potential charges will depend heavily on the evidence and on who had access to the weapon, according to The Dallas Morning News. With the probe still active, officials say more details will be released when they are able to do so.
What residents should know
Ferris sits south of Dallas along I‑45, and the city’s Department of Public Safety provides contact and records information on its website for residents who want updates, per the Ferris Department of Public Safety. Authorities again stressed that securing firearms at home is a critical safety measure, especially as cases like this underscore how quickly a gun in the wrong hands can change everything.
