On December 3, 2023, a tragic shooting occurred in southeast Dallas, Texas, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including 1-year-old Logan De La Cruz. The incident took place around 4:20 p.m. at a residence in the 9700 block of Royce Drive. Upon arrival, Dallas police officers discovered three adults deceased at the scene: 20-year-old Vanessa De La Cruz, 33-year-old Karina Lopez, and 50-year-old Jose Lopez.
Two children, Logan and a 15-year-old girl, were found injured and transported to a local hospital. Tragically, Logan succumbed to his injuries, while the teenage girl was treated and later released.
The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Byron Carrillo, was the ex-boyfriend of Vanessa De La Cruz and the father of Logan. Family members reported that Vanessa had recently ended the relationship due to Carrillo's violent behavior and had moved back in with her parents for safety. Carrillo, who lived next door to the Lopez family, had a history of threats against them. At the time of the shooting, he was under court order to wear an ankle monitor due to a 2021 aggravated assault charge but had removed it either before or immediately after committing the offense.
Following the shooting, Carrillo fled the scene in a stolen vehicle, heading south on Interstate 35 toward Austin. Texas Highway Patrol officers located him near Austin and initiated a pursuit. Carrillo eventually 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 devastating event has left the Dallas community in mourning. Family members have expressed profound grief over the loss of their loved ones, including the young child, Logan. A GoFundMe page was established by Annabel De La Cruz, the daughter of Jose and Karina Lopez and sister of Vanessa, to assist with funeral expenses and support for the surviving family members.
The incident has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of monitoring individuals with a history of violence, particularly those under court-ordered supervision. Carrillo's ability to remove his ankle monitor and commit such a heinous act has prompted discussions about potential reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As the investigation continues, the community remains united in support of the surviving family members, seeking justice for the victims and striving to heal from this senseless act of violence.
