A new law enforcement operation has launched just one day after the deadly shootings in Deep Ellum over the Halloween weekend.
Operation Deep Cover brings together the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas (USAO-NDTX), ATF, Dallas FBI, and Dallas Police following three shootings early Sunday morning that left four people dead and 15 injured. Dallas Police chief Daniel Comeaux said the operation will allow agencies to share intelligence, investigate firearm-related evidence, and make sure cases that qualify for federal prosecution move forward.
“ What happened this weekend in Deep Ellum is unacceptable,” Comeaux said. “This is gonna stop, it's gonna change.”
What will Operatin Deep Cover do?
- Increase officers to the area, some undercover
- Create a direct line of communication with DPD for crimes in Deep Ellum, any violent case, crime or drug-related, will be thourouly reviewed by the USAO-NDTX
- Monthly meetings between USAO-NDTX and DPD to ensure all information moves quickly
- Aggressive prosecution; pursue drug and firearm offenses aggressively
- Review past cases related to violent crime in the area to see if federal charges can move forward.
- Work with Dallas County through an intake team led by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy Fugate and Caroline Poore from the Violent Crimes Section to help ensure that no eligible case is overlooked.
“To the people of Deep Ellum, you should be able to enjoy this neighborhood without fear,” Ryan Raybould, US Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, said. “We can't do it without you, so if you see something, please say something.”
Raybould announced Monday that a criminal complaint has been filed against repeat felon Treyveion Dionte Demby for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to a police affidavit, a Dallas police officer responding to reports of gunfire around 1 a.m. Nov. 1 spotted Demby wearing black clothing and a ski mask while pointing a handgun toward Main Street. He initially refused commands to drop the weapon but eventually surrendered. Demby then allegedly tried to run from officers and was subdued with a Taser before being arrested.
“Officers were able to detain him, and discovered that the gun was a 9mm pistol with 16 rounds, including one in the chamber, ready to go,” he said. “So again, this officer's actions, we believe, prevented future violence.”
When officials were asked at a press conference on Monday what could have prompted the three separate shootings Sunday morning, Chief Comeaux said it was likely arguments, calling them “senseless.”
"Deep Ellum's music will not be silenced by gunfire or other crimes," Raybould said. "The violence has to end, and it will end."
The multi-agency operation is already underway, and law enforcement officials said it won’t stop until Deep Ellum is safe.
Anyone with information about the shootings is encouraged to call DPD at 1-877-373-TIPS or Dallas FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
