On June 25, 2022, 32-year-old Shalonda Anderson, an African American woman, was fatally shot outside the XTC Cabaret in Dallas, Texas. The incident occurred after Anderson and her friends were asked to leave the club following a verbal altercation with a bartender over change. As Anderson and her friends were leaving the club, they got into her car.
According to the club's management, Anderson drove her car into a group of security guards, pinning a 26-year-old female security guard between her car and another vehicle. The female guard then fired her weapon, killing Anderson. Anderson was transported to a hospital where she later died from her injuries.
The incident has led to significant legal and social repercussions. One of the security guards involved, 30-year-old Sterlin Hammett, was charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. According to an arrest affidavit, Hammett fired his pistol without justification as Anderson attempted to drive away from the scene. The affidavit also states that Anderson's car was not a threat at the time of the shooting. Hammett's actions have been widely criticized, and the case has sparked calls for the club to be shut down.
Anderson's family, along with their attorney and local activists, have been vocal in seeking justice for her death. They have held press conferences and vigils, demanding that the club be closed and that those responsible for Anderson's death be held accountable. The family has also released cellphone video footage from inside Anderson's car, which shows the moments leading up to the shooting. In the video, Anderson can be heard saying that she did not get into an altercation with anyone, contradicting the club's account of the events.
The Dallas police are investigating the incident, including a Facebook Live video that Anderson posted during a confrontation inside the club. The investigation is ongoing, and the case has drawn significant media attention and public outcry. Anderson's death is part of a broader pattern of violence at the XTC Cabaret, which has seen multiple shootings and fatalities over the years. The family and community continue to seek justice and accountability for Anderson's tragic death.
