Tamajah McDade, a 16-year-old African American girl, tragically lost her life on July 16, 2022, in Dallas, Texas. She was found shot alongside a 17-year-old at a Red Bird apartment complex. Dallas police were called to the 7300 block of Marvin D. Love Freeway close to Highway 67 and Interstate 20 at about 8:40 p.m. on the day of the incident. When responding officers arrived at the scene, they found McDade and the 17-year-old with gunshot wounds.
The teens were shot at the Mandalay Palms Apartments, across the street from where they were found. McDade and the other teen were transferred to a hospital, where McDade was pronounced dead. The other teen survived.
The investigation revealed that the incident started with an argument between Derek Gibson and three people who met up with him at Mandalay Palms. The argument was over the death of their friend. Police said the three unidentified people left Gibson to meet up with another group of people, which included McDade and the 17-year-old. McDade’s group was told about what Gibson had said about their dead friend, and they left to go confront him. The group drove into Mandalay Palms, and Gibson reportedly opened fire on their car. Two people in the vehicle got out and allegedly fired back at Gibson. Jamarvion Stokes, who heard the gunshots from his apartment, joined Gibson in the shooting. McDade and the other teen attempted to drive away but couldn’t go far as they had been hit by gunfire.
Police initially arrested Derek Gibson on July 19 for his alleged involvement in the killing. He was identified as the gunman and now faces a murder charge as well as four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the incident. Authorities said that when police arrested Gibson, he claimed people had been shooting at him, and he had been running for his life. Gibson also claimed his brother came to defend him. However, his mother told police his brother was at home the night the shooting happened. The brother also reportedly told detectives he was home.
Police later arrested Jamarvion Stokes after surveillance footage of the shooting allegedly showed him and Gibson firing at the car. It was unclear from where the police obtained the footage. In addition to the murder charge, Stokes, like Gibson, also faces four counts of aggravated assault from the shooting. Jail records indicate that the two now face a second murder charge. The investigation into the tragic death of Tamajah McDade continues as authorities seek justice for the young victim and her family.
