Four Dead in Dallas Deep Ellum Halloween Shootings
Three separate incidents in the neighborhood killed four people and injured fifteen, prompting mourners to demand an end to the violence.
By Andrew Kovalenko ·
Dallas police closed off the Deep Ellum district overnight after three distinct shootings occurred in rapid succession on Halloween night. The incidents left four people dead and fifteen others injured, forcing a shutdown of the area known for its nightlife and local events.
The first exchange of gunfire began around midnight in the parking lot of a convenience store on the 2600 block of Elm Street. Officers reported five people were shot during what appeared to be an altercation. Minutes later, a second volley of shots rang out along Commerce Street near South Crowdus Street, claiming three lives.
The final shooting took place on the 200 block of South Crowdus Street at approximately 1:35 a.m. One person died in that incident. The medical examiner identified the victims as 21-year-old Kanisea Scott, 25-year-old Anthony Martin, 28-year-old Unique Benjamin, and 20-year-old Isaiah Boling.
Oshshanae Rose, a close friend of Benjamin, recalled driving to find parking to meet her companion when the gunfire erupted. Rose described Benjamin, a certified nursing assistant originally from Chicago, as an innocent bystander who worked hard and maintained a positive attitude. Rose said she was only a short distance away when the tragedy struck.
"I just can't believe she's gone," Rose said. "I began wondering and started calling, 'Has anyone talked to Unique?' I couldn't find her."
Ashley Martin, the sister of Anthony Martin, who also went by the name Quincy McCleary, said she learned of her brother's death after friends informed her that his body was pulled from a car. Martin described her brother as a rapper who enjoyed video games and often gave away his own clothes to help others. She expressed anger and grief over his sudden loss.
"We're hurting out here, your children are hurting, that's why they're killing each other," Martin said. Thalia Tracey, the mother of Boling's two young children, confirmed he was the father of a two-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter. Scott's family did not return a request for comment.
