5 charged with capital murder in 2024 Arlington shooting of 2 teens
Five Charged With Capital Murder in 2024 Slaying of Two Teens in Arlington
ARLINGTON, Texas – Seven months after two teenagers were gunned down at a short-term rental, five suspects are now in custody, each facing a charge of capital murder, the Arlington Police Department announced this week. The arrests bring a significant development to a case that has gripped the community since the violent deaths of 18-year-old Alexis Tyler and 19-year-old Jaqual Dayton Allen in November 2024.
The suspects, identified as Chrisaveon Whitted, 18, Eddie Walker Jr., 19, Demarian Owens, 21, Diamond Curttie, 26, and Shannon Steele, 20, are accused of being involved in the fatal shooting that occurred on the night of November 23, 2024.
The incident unfolded at an apartment on Slaughter Street, which Allen had reportedly rented to celebrate his upcoming 20th birthday. Instead of a celebration, the night ended in tragedy. Police responded to reports of gunfire and discovered a grim scene. Allen was pronounced dead at the location, while Tyler, of Mesquite, was rushed to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Both victims had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
A coordinated effort by law enforcement led to the recent apprehension of four of the suspects. The U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force, in conjunction with the Arlington Police SWAT team, arrested Whitted, Walker Jr., and Owens. Curttie was taken into custody by Dallas police.
The fifth suspect, Shannon Steele, was already incarcerated in the Dallas County Jail on an unrelated murder charge at the time the capital murder charge for the Arlington double homicide was added.
While the arrests mark a crucial step forward in the investigation, a motive for the killings remains under investigation. Arlington police have previously stated that the shooting did not appear to be the result of a robbery. Investigators believe the victims and the suspects were acquainted.
The case has been a priority for the Arlington Police Department, with detectives working tirelessly to piece together the events of that tragic night. The department has expressed its commitment to bringing justice for Alexis Tyler and Jaqual Dayton Allen.
The five suspects now face the most serious charge under Texas law. A capital murder conviction carries a potential sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. As the legal process begins, the families of the two young victims are left to grapple with their immense loss.
