In the early hours of Sunday, March 22, 2026, what began as a night of socializing at the Exotic Social Club in Tyler, Texas, ended in a burst of gunfire that left two men dead and two women injured. Keundas Jamoure Dansford, a 32-year-old from Tyler, was one of the men who lost his life in the parking lot of the club located on Highway 64 West. The other deceased victim was identified as 24-year-old Keion Dewayne Redd of Jacksonville.
Smith County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to
the scene around 1:45 a.m. following reports of deadly conduct. Upon their arrival, they discovered Dansford and Redd in the parking lot with fatal gunshot wounds. Inside the club, a woman was found to have been struck in the leg by a bullet that had pierced through a wall of the building. Another woman with a gunshot wound to her leg had already been transported to a local hospital by a private vehicle. Both women sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation into the shooting pointed to a gang-related incident. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith stated that the event was "100% gang-related." However, he also clarified that neither Keundas Jamoure Dansford nor Keion Dewayne Redd were believed to have any gang affiliations, suggesting they were innocent bystanders caught in the violence. Investigators believe that one of the men was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The tragic event was reportedly initiated when an individual jumped onto the hood of a car and made a statement to the effect of representing a particular gang and being there to "take care of business." Although other weapons were seen, authorities believe only one firearm was discharged.
In the days following the shooting, the Smith County Sheriff's Office announced that two individuals had been arrested in connection with the case. Investigators are working to determine the extent of their involvement in the shooting. Authorities have also indicated that at least one other suspect remains at large. The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement continues to seek justice for the victims and their families.
