Irving Police responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting on Tuesday, December 28th, at approximately 1:25 p.m. According to the call, the shooting happened in the 4000 block of Avalon Aenue (between Pioneer and Conflans, west of Beltline Road).
Mark Antonio Sample, 34, was arrested for a traffic violation shortly thereafter during traffic stops while driving in his white Chrysler 300, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.
When officers arrived they found Tyvanti Johnson, 29, of Irving, lying on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The male was transported to Parkland Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The victim has been identified as 29-year-old Tyvanti Johnson of Irving.
According to the affidavit, a witness who called Irving police detailed an argument Johnson had with a man in a white Chrysler 300 who then reportedly shot Johnson several times, the affidavit stated. A different witness called later and told police that Sample and another man were involved in the shooting.
In an interview with police, Sample denied any involvement in the shooting but said that he had been the only person driving the Chrysler the entire day, the affidavit stated. Sample remains in custody, with bail set at $2 million.
UPDATE (Jan. 5, 2010): According to John Argumaniz, Irving Police, charges against Mark Antonio Sample have been dropped. Tiwian Laquinn Skief (28) of Irving has been charged with Murder. "Investigators were able to eliminate Sample as a suspect and obtained evidence that lead to the arrest of Skief", Argumaniz said.
