Kaleb Simpson

Kaleb Rayshawn Simpson was a loving son and brother with a talent for art and a passion for music. Born on February 18, 2000, the 20-year-old was a graduate of Rowlett High School in Texas, where he had been an exceptional art student who won several competitions. After graduating, Kaleb discovered a new passion for producing and writing music. Those who knew him remembered his sweet, loving spirit. He was especially close with his younger sister, Raegan, and enjoyed sharing his love of art with her during the time they spent together. His family described his spirit as unmatched and deeply missed.

On the evening of March 22, 2020, Kaleb’s life was cut tragically short in Far Northeast Dallas. At around 6:30 p.m., he was sitting in a car with another person in the parking lot of the Summerwood Cove Apartments, located at 9821 Summerwood Circle. Witnesses reported that a dark-colored, four-door Nissan sedan pulled up behind their vehicle. Someone inside the Nissan opened fire, shooting multiple times into the car Kaleb occupied.

When Dallas Police and Dallas Fire-Rescue arrived, they found Kaleb in the parking lot with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The other individual in the car with him had been shot in the hand and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The Nissan sedan was seen on surveillance video fleeing the apartment complex immediately after the shooting.

The Dallas Police Department’s Homicide Unit launched an investigation, with Detective Andrea Isom leading the case. Investigators released images from surveillance footage showing the suspect vehicle, described as a 2013 or newer dark blue Nissan Altima with factory wheels, a temporary license plate, and a non-working front passenger-side running lamp. They asked the public for help in locating the car and its occupants. A month later, in April 2020, police identified one of the suspects as 19-year-old Julian Mekai Sesalem and issued a warrant for his arrest on a murder charge. They also released a photo of a second, unidentified suspect.

The investigation continued, and according to a news report, police determined the shooting was the result of a drug deal gone wrong. The report stated that Kaleb's companion had arranged to buy drugs from a woman via Snapchat, and investigators used social media to help identify the alleged shooters. In August 2020, the case saw a significant development when a grand jury indicted two teenagers in connection with Kaleb's death.

Julian Mekai Sesalem, then 18, and Ariel Harris Vargas, 19, were both indicted and faced murder charges for the fatal shooting of Kaleb Simpson. With the indictments, the case against the two accused individuals moved into the Dallas County court system. Crime Stoppers had offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case. As of the last available reports from August 2020, the case was proceeding through the legal system following the grand jury's decision.