Norron Batts

Norron Batts, a 30-year-old Black man remembered for his kind heart, was a source of joy and laughter for those who knew and loved him. His life was violently taken on the evening of Wednesday, March 11, 2015, in a confrontation that escalated to gunfire in the parking lot of a Dallas, Texas, convenience store.

The fatal encounter occurred at approximately 8:15 p.m. outside a store on the 1000 block of West Camp Wisdom Road. Dallas police officers were dispatched to the location following a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Norron Batts in the parking lot, suffering from a gunshot wound. Witnesses at the scene described a physical altercation between Norron and another man. The fight took a deadly turn when the other individual pulled out a gun and shot Norron.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the assailant stole Norron’s Chevrolet Heritage High Roof van and fled the scene. Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel arrived to provide emergency medical aid, transporting Norron to a nearby hospital. Tragically, the efforts to save his life were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead from his injuries. The Dallas Police Department’s homicide unit promptly began an investigation into the city's latest killing.

Detectives worked the case for nearly a month, interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence from the scene. Their investigation led them to identify a suspect in the killing. On April 10, 2015, the department publicly announced they were searching for Corey Alford, then 23, in connection with Norron's death. Police issued a warrant for Alford's arrest on a charge of capital murder, indicating that the killing occurred during the commission of another felony, in this case, the robbery of Norron's vehicle. Authorities released a description of Alford as a Black male, standing 5-feet 6-inches tall and weighing 160 pounds. Investigators stated their belief that the dispute between the two men was not random but stemmed from a personal issue.

The Dallas Police Department actively sought the public's help in locating the fugitive. The department’s Homicide Unit, specifically Detective Parker, was assigned to the case, and pleas for information were shared widely. Authorities urged anyone with knowledge of Corey Alford's whereabouts or details about the murder to contact the detective directly or to call Crime Stoppers at 214-373-8477, assuring the public that any tips could be provided anonymously. The search for Alford was a point of focus for the department in the weeks that followed.

Despite the active investigation and the issuance of a capital murder warrant, there have been no publicly available reports confirming the arrest of Corey Alford. Subsequent searches of court records and news archives have not produced information regarding his capture, trial, or conviction for the murder of Norron Batts. The case has grown cold over the years, leaving questions unanswered and justice unserved for Norron and his family.

As of the last public updates from law enforcement in April 2015, Corey Alford was still wanted by the Dallas Police Department. The case officially remains open, though leads have diminished over time. The loss of Norron Batts left a permanent void in the lives of his family and friends, who continue to await a resolution. The Dallas Police Department encourages anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward.