The Dallas Police Department has released new information about an officer-involved shooting that occurred early Saturday morning, July 5, 2025, under the bridge at Canton Street and South Good Latimer Expressway.
According to investigators, around 2:20 a.m., two groups began fighting in the Deep Ellum area. The altercation moved into the parking lot of 2600 Canton Street, where multiple gunshots were fired, striking several individuals.
At 2:25 a.m., officers were flagged down in the 100 block of South Good Latimer Expressway by a gunshot victim. While rendering aid, officers were alerted to additional gunfire nearby and moved south toward the Canton Street area.
As officers entered the parking lot, they located another shooting victim and then observed 19-year-old Tevin Valentine holding a handgun over a man lying on the ground. The man was later identified as 22-year-old Caylen Fritz.
Officers Luis Garza-Fuantos and a second officer gave loud verbal commands for Valentine to drop the weapon. Valentine fled and pointed the gun in the direction of Officer Garza-Fuantos. The officer fired one round from his patrol rifle, striking Valentine.
Valentine fell to the ground and dropped the gun, which was later confirmed stolen from University Park in 2022. Officers immediately began administering emergency medical aid to Valentine, who was later taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Mr. Fritz was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. In total, five gunshot victims were identified, including some who arrived at area hospitals by unknown means.
Multiple firearms were recovered at the scene. No officers were injured.
The Dallas Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit is leading the investigation. The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Community Police Oversight have both been notified and are conducting independent reviews.
Body-worn camera footage from the incident is being released for transparency. Officer Garza-Fuantos has served with the department since April 2020.
Incident video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6BXTt0UFPw
