On February 16, 2016, at approximately 5:55 p.m., Dallas Police responded to a stabbing/cutting call in tent city at 2600 Hickory Street. The victim, a black male who appears to be approximately 50-55 years old who has yet to be identified, Erica Halley B/F 43, witnesses, and arrestee Bennie Charles Valentine B/M D.O.B. 10-19-1961, are all homeless and live there. Arrestee Valentine became involved in an argument with Ms. Halley at that location. According to witnesses at the scene, arrestee Valentine grabbed Ms. Halley and the victim tried to separate the two of them. Arrestee Valentine then stabbed the victim multiple times with a knife causing his death. Arrestee Valentine also cut Ms. Halley when she intervened and she was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. When police arrived, Arrestee Valentine told the responding officers that he had stabbed the victim.
Arrestee Valentine was taken to Dallas Police headquarters where he gave a voluntary statement admitting that he cut both victims. Arrestee Valentine is currently in the Dallas County Jail charged with Murder and is being held on a $500,000.00 bond. Arrestee Valentine will also be charged with Aggravated Assault.
Dallas Police and the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office will continue to work to positively identify the deceased victim.