On October 13, 2024, at approximately 11:05 p.m., Arlington police responded to multiple reports of gunfire at an apartment complex in the 2100 block of Wilcrest Drive. Upon arrival, officers discovered 27-year-old Jarell Tre-Von Thornton slumped over inside a 2011 Ford Edge with multiple gunshot wounds. The vehicle, still in drive and riddled with bullet holes, had collided with several parked cars before coming to a stop.
Thornton was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased from his injuries.
Investigators determined that Thornton had been involved in a drug transaction with three individuals—21-year-old Armontay Valencia, 20-year-old Keontay Martin, and 21-year-old Jaden Davidson—who had traveled to the apartment complex to purchase narcotics from him. Following the transaction, Martin allegedly drew a firearm and shot Thornton multiple times as he attempted to drive away. Thornton's vehicle then struck several parked cars before coming to a halt.
The investigation initially faced challenges due to a lack of leads and eyewitnesses. However, on October 15, a witness involved in an unrelated incident informed officers that they had been with Martin on the night of the shooting and heard him confess to killing someone. This witness also mentioned Valencia's presence during the incident. A second witness corroborated this information and placed Valencia, Martin, and a third individual—later identified as Davidson—at the crime scene.
Subsequently, arrest warrants were issued for all three suspects on charges of murder. Valencia was apprehended in Mesquite on October 25, Martin in Dallas on October 29, and Davidson during a traffic stop in Arlington on November 11. Valencia and Martin have been transferred to the Tarrant County Jail, while Davidson is currently held at the Arlington City Jail. Ballistic and digital forensic analyses related to the case are ongoing.
