On May 9, 2021, at approximately 7:20 a.m., Dallas officers responded to 9669 Forest Lane at the request of Dallas Fire and Rescue. Upon arrival, officers were informed that the victim, Dyrelle Neakole Smith, a 28-year-old Black female, had been shot at the location. Dallas Fire-Rescue pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. During the course of the investigation, detectives identified her ex-boyfriend, Jeremiah Larique Henderson, a 25 year-old Black male, as a suspect. At approximately 12:15 p.m., the suspect was located at 3000 Rochester Street with a self inflicted gunshot wound. Dallas Fire-Rescue responded and pronounced the suspect deceased at the scene.
During the month of February, there have been five domestic violence-related murders in Dallas, compared to two this time last year. Families are experiencing more challenges than they have in recent years, and it’s manifesting itself in the way of violence. It is no secret that the most dangerous situations officers deal with are domestic violence calls, which proved true again this week for two of our officers as they responded to our fifth domestic violence murder. We want to ensure that if you or anyone you know is in a domestic violence situation, you are aware of your options of how and where to seek help. If you are ever in immediate danger, please call 911. Otherwise, please reach out to any of the following resources for help:
The Family Place: 214-941-1991
Genesis Shelter: 214-389-7750
Brighter Tomorrows: 972-262-8383
Mosaic Family Services: 214-823-4434
New Beginnings: 972-276-0057
The Salvation Army: 214-424-7208
We want our community to know that the Dallas Police Department takes domestic violence very seriously. Please pass this information along to anyone you know who may be in need of help.
Dallas Police Department takes domestic violence very seriously. We will be conducting a Domestic Violence Warrant Round Up during the month of January 2020.
On June 01, 2016, at 1 p.m., the Arlington Police Department arrested Pedro Chacon, a 25-year-old Latin male, for Aggravated Kidnapping and Felony Endangerment of a Child originating from a Dallas Police Department Domestic Violence Unit case.
This arrest was the result of an investigation involving Chacon’s ex-girlfriend and their two year old daughter. The suspect drove to his ex-girlfriend’s place of work in the 12000 block of Shiloh Road, displayed a gun, and forced her into his vehicle where the two year old was sitting in the back seat. Detectives put out a description of the suspect’s vehicle. Arlington patrol officers observed the vehicle and after a brief chase stopped the vehicle. The victim and child were unharmed and are safe.
Arrestee Chacon has been placed in Lew Sterrett Jail and a bond amount has not been set at this time.
The Aggravated Kidnapping and Felony Endangerment of a Child are reported on case number 131426-2016.
Original Post:
On June 1, 2016 at about 9:00 a.m., officers responded to a kidnapping call at Northwest Highway and Shiloh. Witnesses stated that the victim and her child were forced into a vehicle by the suspect, the victim’s ex-boyfriend, at gunpoint. The suspect vehicle fled the location prior to the officer’s arrival on the scene. Officers were able to put out a description of the vehicle which was located by Arlington Police. After a brief chase involving several outside agencies, the suspect was taken into custody in the area of I-30 and Belt Line. The suspect is being investigated for Aggravated Kidnapping and Unlawful Restraint. The victim and the child were not harmed and are being interviewed by detectives.
On February 24, 2016, Dallas Police responded to 4600 Bryan Street, regarding an unresponsive victim, Nivea Mack, B/F/2. Dallas Fire and Rescue transported the child to Baylor Hospital. Following a doctors examination, she was transferred to Children’s Health Hospital where she could be better treated for a closed head injury. Detectives from the Dallas Police Department Child Abuse Unit responded to the hospital and began an investigation. The investigation revealed that Emery Lee Cobb III, B/M/07171991, who is the live-in boyfriend of the victim’s mother, was responsible for the injury to the victim. A felony arrest warrant for Injury to a Child F/1, for the suspect was prepared. Cobb was taken into custody, interviewed and transported to Lew Sterrett Justice Facility where he is being held on a bond of $150,000. On February 26, the victim died from her injuries.
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This year, the Dallas Police Athletic/Activities League presented The Truth about Teen Dating Violence, an informative workshop discussing the issues and concerns of teen dating violence and abuse.
The free workshop was held at Conrad High School on February 20, 2016. It consisted of several classroom sessions concerning topics related to teen dating violence such as: respecting your relationship, understanding and coping with rejection, crisis management and resources, anger management and recognizing signs and behavior of abusive relationships.
The sessions were for middle school and high school students (boys and girls) from across the city. The workshop also provided an informative classroom session for the parents that highlighted positive communication, teen dating violence resources, and recognizing signs and behavior of abusive relationships.
There were several guest speakers such as Judge Cheryl Williams, Motivational Speaker Angela Clay, Lady Jade from 104.5 FM, and Anger Management Dr. Carl Robinson amongst others.
The Dallas Police Department is very grateful to the Conrad High School for allowing the Police Athletic League to use their facility.
At approximately 11:40 a.m., Dallas officers met with Dallas Fire and Rescue at Charlton Methodist Hospital regarding the death of a 2 year old male toddler, later identified as Ayden Strange. According to the father, he and his infant son were home alone inside their apartment located at 3829 Gannon Lane. The father, Antonio Strange B/m/24, stated that he went outside for a moment, leaving the toddler alone. When the Mr. Strange returned, he discovered that the toddler was unresponsive. Mr. Strange called 911 and DFR responded to the scene and attempted to resuscitate the toddler. DFR subsequently transported the toddler to Charlton Methodist Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The Dallas Police Department’s Child Abuse Unit was notified and responded to the scene. During their investigation, detectives found sufficient evidence to suggest Mr. Strange was negligence and thereby responsible for the death of the toddler. Mr. Strange was taken into custody and booked into Lew Sterrett Jail. He is being charged with Injury to a Child/Reckless F/2. This incident is documented on Case Number 184258-2015.
On June 24, 2015 at approximately 3:34 a.m., Jonathan Ryan Edelen, a B/M/03-11-1981 called 911 and reported that his wife Ceaira Sedia Nequay Ford B/F/08-22-86 had stopped breathing. Dallas Police and Dallas Fire Rescue were dispatched to the location at 2514 Perryton Dr in the Primrose Apartments. DFR arrived and observed that Ms. Ford was deceased and that rigor mortis had already begun. After DPD officers arrived, Mr. Edelen approached one of the officers in the apartment and stated “put the cuffs on me and take me to jail, I killed my wife.”
Edelen was placed into custody and transported to Jack Evans Police Headquarters were he provided a voluntary statement admitting to the offense. Suspect Edelen stated that on June 22, 2015 that he and Ms. Ford had become involved in an argument. Edelen indicated that Ms. Ford would not stop talking. As the argument continued, Suspect Edelen threw a blanket over Ms. Ford as she lay on a mattress in the bedroom, got on top of her, grabbed a pillow and placed it over her head, holding it there until she stopped moving. Edelen indicated that when he removed the blanket and pillow Ms. Ford was no longer breathing. Suspect Edelen is currently in the Dallas County Jail.
During the investigation of this incident, it was discovered that Dallas Police had received a 911 call from a citizen on June 22, 2015 at approximately 10:45 p.m. reporting a disturbance in progress. The caller reported a male talking softly while a female was screaming statements to the effect of, “I’m sorry, I won’t fight you, I did apologize”. Two Dallas Police officers, a trainer and his recruit, responded to the location. The officers were dispatched to the call at 11:08p.m. and arrived at the location at 11:13p.m. The officers attempted to contact the caller by knocking on her door to verify the correct apartment but got no answer. The officers then went to the apartment described on their call sheet and talked with a male inside the apartment. From the door, the officers could see the interior common area of the apartment. They did not see any signs of a disturbance but noted that the television volume was loud. The officers then updated the call sheet to indicate that they had spoken with the resident, that there was no disturbance and that he was home alone. We now believe that the officers spoke to an individual who is a close friend to Suspect Edelen while Edelen was in another area of the apartment with the deceased Ms. Ford. The Homicide Unit is also seeking to determine what role, if any that Suspect Edelen’s friend played in the homicide. We have also learned that Suspect Edelen’s mother and the two children (male 6, female 4) he had with Ms. Ford were also at the location. This incident remains an active homicide investigation.
The Internal Affairs Division will conduct an investigation into the manner in which the responding officers handled the call that was received at the location on June 22nd .
October is nationally known as Domestic Violence Awareness month, made possible through the efforts of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 1981. The Purple Heart is presented to members of the military who have been wounded while serving. The color purple can also be seen as a symbol of pain and suffering, much like the bruises victims of domestic violence sustain. But for the survivors of domestic violence who have been wounded physically and emotionally, the color purple can be a symbol of courage, survival, peace, honor, and dedication to the eradication of violence. The nation has come together to mourn those who have died as a result of domestic violence, to celebrate those who have survived domestic violence, and to connect those who are struggling with domestic violence with advocates and resources.
The City of Dallas and the Dallas Police Department are working with the community to reduce the damage from abusers and change the culture that domestic violence has entrapped. In the last few years, the number of offenses has decreased, but the number of cases filed by detectives has increased. This equates to the significant success of the Domestic Violence Awareness movement. Victims are no longer hiding in the shadows of their abusers. They are stepping forward, changing their lives, and voicing their adversity. With the help of our city leaders, community leaders, and organizations like Mayor Mike Rawlings, Council Member Jennifer Staubach Gates, the Family Place and the Genesis Women’s Shelter, the Dallas Police Department proudly supports Domestic Violence Awareness month and will continue to fight this battle for those who did not have a chance to and for those who are still struggling.
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