The Arlington Police Department has arrested 24-year-old Jahlen Owen in connection to the June 2, 2025, shooting death of Desmond McKay.
McKay was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot of an apartment complex located in the 2700 block of Castle Gardens Drive in West Arlington. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Following a detailed investigation, detectives identified Owen as a suspect. Witnesses told detectives that McKay had planned to meet a friend from welding school the night of the incident. That friend was later confirmed to be Owen.
Investigators believe McKay and Owen arrived together at the Castle Gardens Drive location in McKay’s vehicle to pick up another friend who lived in the complex. Before reaching the apartment, the shooting occurred. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect flee the scene in McKay’s vehicle.
The vehicle was recovered the following day in Dallas, near Owen’s residence.
On June 29, 2025, Owen arrived at the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center and told a front desk officer he wished to speak with detectives about a murder case. He voluntarily waived his rights and gave a full statement, confessing to the shooting and providing corroborating details.
Owen was taken into custody the same day on one count of Capital Murder. He was booked into the Arlington City Jail and later transferred to the Tarrant County Jail. His bond has been set at $1 million.
