In the early hours of Sunday, the Fair Park neighborhood in Dallas, Texas was jarred by gunfire during what had begun as a community gathering at a rec center.
The violence claimed the life of 21-year-old Coriesha Bradford and left eight others wounded, as residents now grapple with the aftermath and search for justice.
The Dallas Police Department reported that the gang-related shooting unfolded around 1:35 a.m. at a block party that had extended to a nearby address on Collins Avenue near Carter Street. Initially, police responded to a call of shots fired at about 11:10 p.m. on Saturday. Although the shooting had ceased by the time officers arrived, they remained in the vicinity to patrol and monitor the situation, as stated by Dallas Police spokesperson Kristin Lowman.
Unfortunately, the gunfire resumed several hours later. Investigators believe the violence began when one individual fired into the crowd of approximately 45 to 50 people, prompting others to shoot as well. The victims, predominantly women, were quickly transported to local hospitals, with officials hopeful that each would recover from their injuries.
The shooting victim’s aunt, Tasha Oudems, expressed grief and frustration, conveying the community’s sorrow and demand for answers. “They just took my baby away. They took her away,” lamented Oudems, who had a significant role in raising Bradford.
The sense of loss resonated deeply within the community, with Oudems further criticizing the actions—or inactions—of the police present at the scene. “It wasn’t enough. And they were right there before any of that happened. I thought they were going to break it up. That’s good. They never broke up, nothing,” she stated.
Witnesses observed that officers made minimal efforts to calm the situation. One witness, requesting anonymity, expressed deep frustration with the police, “I’m just furious. I’m very angry with them.”
Another eyewitness tearfully remarked, “I cried because it’s senseless. There are young kids out here killing each other.” This witness also noted that she spotted a firearm at the event and called 911. She reported that at least eight police cruisers arrived to investigate but departed without dispersing the assembly.
In response to the public outcry and the gravity of the incident, Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia announced an internal investigation to scrutinize the department’s response and explore whether different actions might have prevented the tragedy. “I have many questions about what happened last night that led to the death of a 21-year-old woman and eight people being injured,” Chief Garcia conveyed in his statement. He emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency within the department as they work to ascertain the events and factors contributing to the shooting.
The Dallas community and the Bradford family are now calling for justice and a reevaluation of safety measures in the area. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
At the corner of Collins Avenue and Clarkson, a makeshift memorial adorned with balloons and flowers pays tribute to Coriesha Bradford, the young victim of this senseless crime.
