Tamiko Geniece Merriwether, a 55-year-old African American woman, was tragically killed on February 7, 2021, in Dallas, Texas. The incident occurred at an apartment complex in the 9800 block of Summerwood Circle. Merriwether was found dead alongside her 26-year-old daughter, Marietta Julieze Matthews, and the suspect, 24-year-old Nathan Rashad James. The police were called to the scene following reports of an active shooter.
Upon arrival, officers were met with gunfire from James, who was armed with a rifle. The situation escalated, leading to a standoff with the Dallas police SWAT unit.
During the standoff, James fired shots at the responding officers, striking at least one squad car. The SWAT team made several attempts to get James to surrender. Eventually, they entered the apartment around 7 p.m. and discovered the bodies of Merriwether, Matthews, and James. It was determined that James had killed Merriwether and Matthews before turning the gun on himself. The police confirmed that no officers discharged their weapons during the incident, and no officers were injured.
The investigation revealed that James was in a relationship with Matthews and that they lived together at the apartment. The motive behind the murder-suicide was not immediately clear. However, it was reported that James had filmed the aftermath of the killings and posted a video on social media, where he expressed remorse and apologized for his actions. The video showed Merriwether's body, still breathing, slumped on the couch and covered in blood. James was seen pacing with a gun and repeatedly apologizing.
The Dallas Police Department's Special Investigations Unit conducted a follow-up investigation into the double-murder suicide. The incident highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the tragic consequences of domestic violence. The community mourned the loss of Tamiko Geniece Merriwether and her daughter, Marietta Julieze Matthews, as they grappled with the senseless violence that took their lives.
