On June 26, 2024, at approximately 2:50 p.m., Dallas Police responded to a shooting call in the 2200 block of Lagow Street, near Fair Park. Upon arrival, officers found 25-year-old Zachary Lawrence lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. Dallas Fire-Rescue transported Lawrence to Baylor Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 4:17 p.m.
Witnesses at the scene identified the suspect as 61-year-old Christopher Peterson.
According to an arrest affidavit, a witness observed Lawrence and Peterson sitting in chairs next to each other when Peterson began approaching the witness with a gun. A confrontation ensued between Lawrence and Peterson, during which Peterson allegedly body-slammed Lawrence to the ground, stood over him, and fired a single shot. Another witness reported seeing Peterson take a gun off Lawrence's person before the altercation.
Following the incident, officers located Peterson nearby and arrested him without incident. He was charged with murder and booked into the Dallas County Jail, with bond set at $1 million. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed any prior history between Lawrence and Peterson or a possible motive for the shooting.
Zachary "Zach" Matthew Lawrence was born on December 3, 1998, in Springfield, Illinois. He is survived by his parents, stepfather, three siblings, two children, grandmothers, great-grandmother, significant other, and numerous other family members and friends. His obituary describes him as a kind soul with an adventurous spirit, who lived life on his own terms and will be tremendously missed by all who loved him.
