Dallas, Texas: Two Teens Arrested in South Barry Avenue Shooting That Wounded Six

Dallas police have arrested two teenagers in connection with a shooting in South Dallas that wounded six people earlier this month, the department said in reporting carried by FOX 4 on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Police arrested Martin Padilla, 17, on Oct. 20 and charged him with five counts of aggravated assault for discharging a firearm at an occupied building, house or vehicle, which is a first-degree felony. Officers had arrested a 16-year-old on Oct. 14 and charged the teen with six counts of the same offense. Police have not named the younger teen, and they have not released additional details about what led to the gunfire.

The Oct. 4 shooting

The shooting happened on Oct. 4 at about 3:10 a.m. in the 1400 block of South Barry Avenue, after a large gathering in the area, police said. Investigators believe a person in a vehicle and someone in a crowd exchanged gunfire. The vehicle struck a light pole as its driver tried to leave the scene.

Six people were shot, according to the Dallas Police Department account published on its DPD Beat site on Oct. 4. Dallas Fire-Rescue took at least three of the wounded to a local hospital, and three others drove themselves for treatment, for a total of six victims. None of the injuries was life-threatening, police said. The department documented the case as number 146047-2026 and said the investigation was ongoing.

What the charges mean

The arrests close the open suspect question that stood since the night of the shooting, when police had announced no one in custody. The charges are allegations. Each count accuses the teen of firing a weapon at an occupied building, home or vehicle during the exchange, and a first-degree felony is the most serious felony level under Texas law short of a capital felony.

Police have not said what started the argument or the gathering, whether the two teens knew the wounded people, or whether more arrests are expected. Anyone with information about the case can contact Dallas police. The six wounded people have not been named by the department.