Hayden Scarleto, an 18-year-old male from Arlington, Texas, tragically lost his life on October 26, 2022, in a shooting incident at a car wash on the Kennedale-Arlington border. Hayden was inside a white vehicle with a juvenile companion when they were both shot. Hayden was later pronounced dead at the hospital, while the juvenile survived and was hospitalized in stable condition.
Following the incident, Kennedale Police identified two suspects, 21-year-old Xavier Aguilar and 20-year-old
Sonny Ayala, who were arrested and charged with capital murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and engaging in organized crime. The arrests were made with the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Grand Prairie Police Department, the Mansfield Police Department, the Arlington Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Agency , and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms .
However, in a surprising turn of events, the charges against Aguilar and Ayala were dropped in late November 2022. Kennedale Police then issued an arrest warrant for 19-year-old Emmanuel Bear, charging him with capital murder for the shooting. The investigation into the motive behind the shooting is ongoing, and police have not yet revealed any details about how Bear was identified as a suspect.
The tragic death of Hayden Scarleto has deeply affected his family, friends, and the community. Hayden was remembered as a young man who loved baseball, fishing, camping, and spending time with his family and friends. His memorial service was held at Emerald Hills Funeral Home in Kennedale, Texas, where many gathered to pay their respects and share their memories of him.
The investigation continues as authorities work to bring justice for Hayden and his family. The community remains hopeful that the perpetrator will be brought to justice and that Hayden's memory will be honored through the ongoing efforts to solve this case.
