A 13-year-old boy was struck by gunfire during a shootout in Dallas in an area known for drug dealings and gangs.
The teen, identified as Malik Tyler, was walking in the Pleasant Grove neighborhood on the night of June 4 when he was struck by a “crossfire or a stray bullet,” the Dallas Police Department said, according to WFAA.
The bullet was fired as two men in two different vehicles shot at each other at around 7:10 p.m.
“Historically, this is an area where gang members and drug dealers frequent,” Chief Renee Hall said at a press conference, reported WFAA.
Hall said that Malik was walking on a sidewalk near a gas station during the incident. A manhunt has been launched for the suspects.
Dallas in middle of violent crime spike:
– Innocent 13 yo killed in shooting last night
– 90+ ppl murdered in 2019
– 40+ in May alone, deadliest month since 1990’s
– DPD has moved more officers to homicide squad
– DPD apx 700 FEWER officers than in 2011https://t.co/uGzMcEQvBo— Amanda Guerra (@AmandaGuerraTX) June 5, 2019
A 14-year-old boy has died from his injuries after being caught in crossfire near a Pleasant Grove gas station Tuesday evening.
More: https://t.co/EjUKVBcKSR pic.twitter.com/5I2csUuckV
— Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) June 5, 2019
“We are very, very angry about the level of violence that we are seeing in this city. We have lost one of our youth to violence that is not necessary,” Hall said. “We will work all night until we find these suspects.”
Police are searching for a silver Chrysler 300 associated with a suspect.
According to CBS DFW, the city “has tried to curb the crime in the area that often takes place in the parking lots of the convenience store and the self-service car wash that are located on the busy street corner.” The measures include the installation of a surveillance camera and denying a convenience store a permit to sell alcohol.
“Neighbors, however, said these efforts have done little to make the corner safer,” the broadcaster added.
Eusula Jacobs, who lives nearby, told Fox 4 that she and her daughter heard the gunshots and saw Malik approaching her apartment complex and asking for assistance. They used a towel to try to stem the bleeding.
“He was just laying there already shot just holding his chest,” Jacobs said. “And by the time we made it down the stairs to come, the security guard was already out. His mother was already out, and everybody just swarmed in.”
She said that her daughter knew Malik and that he was looking forward to summer vacation.
Malik was initially said to be 14 but his age was later corrected to 13.
UPDATE: Dallas police tell @FOX4 the 14 year old boy who was shot died from his injuries. Police say we was caught in the crossfire of 2 cars shooting at one another on Bruton Drive in Pleasant Grove. He was in innocent bystander. Latest on @FOX4 at 10pm pic.twitter.com/Y2WQkHtDPE
— Alex Boyér (@AlexBoyerFox4) June 5, 2019
The shooting took place just hours before another homicide.
The Dallas Police Department said that it responded to a shooting call at the Parking Company of America parking lot on North Akard Street and found Leroy Hawkins, 17, sitting in a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was soon pronounced dead.
Another shooting took place on June 1. Jason Haslett was reportedly found dead on West Lawther Drive at around 5:30 p.m.
