Violent Crime Alert

Shootings and carjackings mar holiday weekend in Dallas

Dallas police had their hands full this Fourth of July weekend. In addition to hundreds of calls about fireworks and 81 reporting gunshots, officers are investigating two carjackings, a shooting and a fatal knife wound.

The first carjacking occurred around 4:30 am July 4 in East Dallas. According to police, Charles Jackson was driving a 2002 Ford Taurus in the 8900 block of Senate Street when he was accosted by at least three people, one of whom shot Jackson. The gang made off with his car, and Jackson was transported to Baylor Hospital, where he is listed in serious condition.

"We are still in the early stages of this investigation and are unable to determine if the two [carjackings] are related," police said in a statement.

Less than three hours later, a second carjacking was reported in South Dallas. The victim, who has not been identified by police, was at a stop sign at the corner of Corinth and 11th Street when two black men forced him out of his 1995 Toyota 4Runner.

One of the criminals struck the victim with a pistol. When the victim attempted to get away, the man shot him in the buttocks. He is listed in fair condition at Baylor Hospital.

"We are still in the early stages of this investigation and are unable to determine if the two incidents are related," Sgt. Warren Mitchell said in a statement to media.

Even after the fireworks had faded, Dallas criminals didn't let up.

At 2:52 am July 5, three people were shot at a gas station in the 9500 block of Bruton Road after a fight broke out during a dice game. Police said only minor injuries were reported.

Around 6 am July 7, a bleeding man wandered up to Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in the 1800 block of West Camp Wisdom Road. The man died from his injury, which police are describing as a "cutting" and not a stabbing. The incident is still under investigation.

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Bird News

Dallas park officials take steps to shield bald eagles from yippy dogs

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Bald eagles have returned to Dallas.

The famed bald eagles of East Dallas have returned, and Dallas park officials are taking steps to make sure they can make procreational magic undisturbed.

According to a memo, within the last week Dallas' park department officials have observed an uptick in breeding activity with the bald eagles at Lake Highlands Park.

This is the eagle couple that has been coming back to this same area near White Rock, a location they've returned to nest and spawned baby eaglets since at least 2022. Their choice of nesting spot — at in a busy and highly visible area off Buckner Boulevard — is relatively rare. And given its proximity to cars, people, dogs, and general civilization, it is also potentially threatening to their success.

In 2022, their presence provoked such a flurry of onlookers and cellphone-wielding intruders that city and wildlife officials were forced to intervene to protect the birds and their nest. A second intervention was staged in 2024 by Dallas Park and Recreation, together with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Now in a proactive move, Dallas park maintenance and the conservation team have put up a fence to remind park visitors to keep their distance. Visitors are warned to not approach the nest any closer than the fence, as it is considered a federal offense to disturb the eagles.

Over the last four years, this particular pair has shown to be tolerant of normal park activities, and for now, those activities will be allowed to continue unless the pair show signs of being disturbed.

They say it is also critical that park users remember that dogs need to always be leashed. During previous nesting seasons, dogs running around off-leash was something that disturbed the eagles. The Park Rangers will be monitoring the area for dogs off-leash.

The Urban Biologist and Conservation Manager are actively monitoring the situation at Lake Highlands Park as well.

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