A security guard was shot and killed and several others were wounded in two separate shootings that unfolded during large Cinco de Mayo crowds in Dallas’ Deep Ellum arts district early Wednesday morning, marking one of the most violent nights the neighborhood has seen in recent years.
Dallas police responded to the first incident at approximately 12:30 a.m. in the 2800 block of Elm Street, where a fight had broken out inside a business. According to the Dallas Police Department, a suspect identified as Detorius Tarver, 23, was involved in a physical disturbance inside the establishment and pulled out a weapon, shooting 26-year-old Joseph Gray, who was employed as a security guard and was attempting to break up the altercation. Gray was transported to a hospital by a private vehicle, where he was later pronounced dead. Tarver was arrested at the scene and charged with murder. The investigation is documented under case number 064334-2026. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective K. Sapon at 214-671-3602 or kofi.sapon-amoah@dallaspolice.gov.
Approximately 50 minutes later, at 1:20 a.m., Dallas Police responded to a second shooting call in the 300 block of East 8th Street, just blocks away. An unidentified individual had been shot by an unknown suspect who fled the scene before officers arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital where they were pronounced dead moments after arrival. No suspect description has been released and no arrests have been made in connection with the second shooting. That investigation is documented under case number 064343-2026. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective J. Reed at 469-597-9332 or jelisa.reed@dallaspolice.gov.
Dallas police confirmed the two shootings are not related despite their proximity in both time and location. Both scenes remained active early Wednesday morning with a heavy law enforcement presence as investigators worked to gather evidence. The shootings unfolded during one of the busiest nights of the year in Deep Ellum, where large crowds had gathered across the neighborhood’s bars, restaurants and live music venues to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
No additional suspects are being sought in the Elm Street shooting. The investigation into the East 8th Street shooting remains open.