On December 3, 2023, a tragic shooting occurred in Dallas, Texas, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including 50-year-old Jose Lopez. The incident took place at a residence on Royce Drive, where officers discovered the bodies of Jose Lopez, 33-year-old Karina Lopez, 20-year-old Vanessa De La Cruz, and her 1-year-old son, Logan De La Cruz. A 15-year-old girl was also injured but survived, while a 13-year-old girl present at the scene was unharmed.
The suspect, 21-year-old Byron Carrillo, was identified as the ex-boyfriend of Vanessa De La Cruz and the father of Logan. Family members reported a history of violence between Carrillo and Vanessa, which led her to move back in with her parents for safety. At the time of the shooting, Carrillo was under legal supervision, wearing an ankle monitor due to a 2021 aggravated assault charge involving threats against Vanessa and Jose Lopez. However, he had recently cut off the monitor, either immediately before or after committing the offense.
Following the shootings, Carrillo fled the scene in a stolen vehicle, heading south on Interstate 35 toward Central Texas. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers located him near Austin and initiated a pursuit. The chase ended when Carrillo crashed into a ditch and attempted to flee on foot. As officers closed in, he fatally shot himself in the head. His death is currently under investigation by the Texas Rangers.
This tragic event underscores the devastating impact of domestic violence and raises concerns about the effectiveness of monitoring systems for individuals with a history of violent behavior. The community mourns the loss of Jose Lopez and the other victims, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to this heartbreaking incident.
