Two teenagers are now behind bars in Dallas, booked on capital murder charges in connection with two separate spring shootings that left three people dead in far northeast Dallas, authorities said. Investigators say the arrests link one teen to a March double homicide and the other to a deadly mid-June crossfire in the same part of the city.
According to CBS News Texas, U.S. Marshals arrested 17-year-old Erving Estrada and 18-year-old Latavien Clark on Thursday. Both remain in custody on capital murder warrants. FOX 4 aired a brief segment on the takedown that did not detail how law enforcement tracked the suspects.
March double homicide on Audelia Road
The first case dates back to March 15, when officers were called to a shooting at an apartment complex in the 12100 block of Audelia Road. There, police found 21-year-old Mardreus Ward and 20-year-old Ethan Dillard fatally shot, as reported by The Dallas Morning News. At the time, detectives released few details and put out a broad plea for tips from the public.
June crossfire on Walnut Street
The second incident unfolded in mid-June, when officers responded just after 9 p.m. to reports of gunfire in the 9800 block of Walnut Street. Investigators said two people were exchanging shots when a 35-year-old woman was hit and later died, according to NBC 5 Dallas-Fort-Worth. Neighbors were rattled by yet another burst of violence in the area, which has seen multiple shootings this spring.
Legal status
Both Estrada and Clark are being held on capital murder charges while detectives continue to work the cases, and authorities have not publicly discussed a possible motive, FOX 4 reported. It was not immediately clear whether prosecutors will move to have the teenagers tried as adults.
Anyone with information about either case is urged to contact the Dallas Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 214-662-4552, according to CBS News Texas. Dallas police say both investigations remain active and are asking residents who have video or other potential evidence to come forward.
