Dallas officials name two of four killed in Deep Ellum Halloween shootings
Violence struck three locations in the district over 75 minutes, leaving 15 people injured as officers scrambled to respond.
By Nour Haddad ·
The Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office identified Kaniesa Scott, 21, and Unique Elise Benjamin, 28, as two of the four people killed in a series of shootings that occurred early Sunday morning in the Deep Ellum district. The remaining two victims have not yet been identified.
Scott died at 1:08 a.m. at Baylor University Medical Center. Benjamin died in the roadway in the 200 block of South Crowdus Street at 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The medical examiner confirmed these details in records released to the public.
Police report that the gunfire erupted at three separate crime scenes located within the same neighborhood over a span of approximately 75 minutes. The first incident began around 12:20 a.m. in the 2600 block of Elm Street. A second shooting followed at 1:05 a.m. in the 2600 block of Main Street. The third and final shooting was reported at 1:35 a.m. in the 200 block of South Crowdus Street.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux stated that approximately 15 people were injured in the attacks. He noted that the number remains fluid because several victims transported themselves to local hospitals after the gunfire ended. Officers assigned to extra duties for the Halloween crowd responded to the scenes. Comeaux said officers located less than two blocks away ran toward the sound of gunfire and performed life-saving measures that revived at least one victim.
Comeaux addressed reporters during a news conference to clarify the department's staffing levels. He stated, "We were fully staffed out here." He added that the department knew it was Saturday night and Halloween, so they planned accordingly. Mayor Eric L. Johnson called the violence "unacceptable" in a statement issued Sunday. He reaffirmed public safety as the city's top priority.
Investigators have made arrests and interviewed multiple individuals, but they have found no evidence linking the three shootings or identifying a specific motive. The Deep Ellum Foundation announced it will host community listening sessions this week. The organization will also connect grieving families with mental health resources.
Police are currently canvassing businesses in the area to collect surveillance footage and shell casings. Sergeant Boz Rojas is leading the investigation. He asked anyone with photos, videos, or social media clips from the area during the incidents to contact him at 214-671-3598 or via email at boz.rojas@dallaspolice.gov.
