Crime
Shooter Dead, Two Women Injured After Walmart Parking Lot Shooting in Dallas
Authorities are investigating a shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of a Walmart Supercenter located in the 9300 block of Forest Lane in Dallas.
The incident resulted in two women being injured and the suspected shooter found deceased from what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Dallas police responded to a 911 call reporting gunfire at approximately 3:40 p.m.
Upon arrival, responding units located two adult female victims in the parking lot suffering from gunshot-related injuries.
One appeared to have sustained a gunshot wound to the hand, while the second victim was also injured but alert at the scene.
Nearby, officers located a vehicle with an unresponsive individual inside.
Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel later confirmed the man inside the vehicle was deceased and is believed to be the shooter.
Officials are treating the death as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to police sources and preliminary reports, the shooting appears to have been domestic violence–related. Investigators believe the suspect tracked his partner to the Walmart parking lot before opening fire.
The first victim is believed to be the intended target, while the second woman was struck as a bystander.
Off-duty officers already in the area were among the first to assist and located the suspected shooter inside his vehicle following the attack.
Dallas Fire-Rescue confirmed both injured women were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Their conditions have not been publicly released.
The scene quickly drew a large police presence, and aerial footage showed a wide perimeter secured with crime scene tape as investigators interviewed witnesses and documented evidence.
No additional suspects are being sought, and authorities have stated there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The Dallas Police Department continues to process the scene and review surveillance video from the Walmart property.
Detectives are also working to confirm the relationship between the suspect and the primary victim and determine what events led to the shooting.
Further details, including the identities of those involved, will be released once next of kin have been notified and the investigation progresses.
Crime
New Mexico Teen Darren Munoz Charged With Orchestrating Parents’ Murders in Alleged Financial Plot
A 19-year-old New Mexico man is facing multiple murder-related charges after authorities allege he arranged the killings of his father and stepmother as part of a plan to gain control of their finances and property.
Darren Munoz, 19, is accused of recruiting a friend, 18-year-old Julio Zamora, to carry out the fatal shootings of Oscar Munoz, 58, and Dina Munoz, 71, inside the family’s home in Clovis, New Mexico—located more than 200 miles east of Albuquerque.
Both suspects were taken into custody on Monday, December 15.
According to an arrest affidavit, investigators believe the killings were premeditated and planned over the course of weeks or months. Authorities allege Munoz intended to seize his parents’ assets and financial holdings and believed his father owned an Allsups convenience store franchise, a chain operating hundreds of locations across Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
Prosecutors allege the plan called for Zamora to enter the residence through the garage during the early morning hours and shoot both victims while they slept.
Investigators also identified a second individual as a potential backup should Zamora fail to carry out the plan.
Police were dispatched to the Clovis residence at approximately 4:50 a.m. on December 15 after receiving a report of a possible burglary.
Upon arrival, officers found Munoz standing near the open garage.
According to police, Munoz told officers there was no emergency and attempted to dissuade them from entering the home, stating his parents were asleep.
Officers were eventually permitted inside the residence.
Investigators state that Munoz later emerged from a bedroom with blood on his hands.
Both Oscar and Dina Munoz had sustained gunshot wounds to the head. Dina Munoz was pronounced dead at the scene, while Oscar Munoz was transported to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, where he later died from his injuries.
Munoz reportedly told investigators he was awakened by the sound of the garage door alarm but claimed he did not hear any gunshots.
Authorities noted that this account appeared inconsistent with the home’s layout.
Investigators also reported there were no signs of forced entry and no evidence that property had been stolen.
Additional evidence surfaced during the investigation, including statements from Munoz’s girlfriend, who told police he had previously discussed trading an AR-style rifle for another firearm.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Munoz carrying a 9mm Glock handgun several hours before the killings. Investigators also confirmed that Munoz, Zamora, and others had recently purchased 9mm ammunition together.
Zamora was later arrested outside his residence, where authorities recovered a 9mm Glock handgun believed to have been used in the murders.
Investigators allege Zamora admitted that Munoz asked him to kill his parents.
Darren Munoz is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and solicitation to commit first-degree murder.
Julio Zamora faces two counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Both defendants have entered not guilty pleas as the case proceeds through the court system.