Leonardo Vazquez-Barcenas, a 57-year-old Hispanic male, tragically lost his life on April 18, 2018, in Dallas, Texas. The incident occurred when Leonardo Vazquez-Barcenas intervened in an attempted robbery at his brother's home. The perpetrators, a juvenile and a co-conspirator, were in the process of robbing the homeowner when Leonardo Vazquez-Barcenas came outside to investigate the commotion.
During the struggle, the juvenile fired a single shot, which resulted in the death of Leonardo Vazquez-Barcenas.
The firearm used in the homicide was traced back to a straw purchase made by two sisters, Demoushae and Tashonna Marsh. They had purchased two 9-millimeter Glock pistols from a federally-licensed firearm dealer, Academy Sports + Outdoors, on April 16, 2018. On their applications, both women falsely claimed to be the actual buyers of the firearms, knowing that the guns were intended for someone else. One of these pistols ended up in the hands of the juvenile involved in the robbery and subsequent murder of Leonardo Vazquez-Barcenas.
The Dallas County District Attorney's Office is handling the homicide case, while the straw purchasing case was brought as part of the U.S. Attorney's "Project Safe Neighborhood" initiative. This initiative targets violent offenders in Dallas' most dangerous neighborhoods. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives conducted the investigation with assistance from the Dallas Police Department. The federal case against Demoushae and Tashonna Marsh highlights the importance of federal firearm restrictions designed to prevent deadly weapons from being used in street crimes.
The indictment against the Marsh sisters serves as a formal accusation of criminal conduct, but it is not evidence. The defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law. This case underscores the efforts of law enforcement agencies to bring to justice those who attempt to circumvent gun laws and contribute to violent crimes in the community.
