On May 30, 2023, at approximately 1 a.m., 35-year-old David McLeskey was fatally shot in the 10700 block of Sunstone in Northeast El Paso. Upon responding to reports of gunfire, officers discovered McLeskey lying outside with multiple gunshot wounds. He was promptly transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Security footage from the area captured a vehicle driving along Sunstone Street, with shots fired three times from the moving car. Neighbors reported that the residence near the shooting scene was frequently noisy, suggesting prior disturbances.
Following an investigation, authorities identified 34-year-old Tristan Crabtree as the primary suspect in McLeskey's murder. On June 2, 2023, Crabtree was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. He was subsequently charged with murder and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility, with bond set at $2 million.
This incident contributed to ongoing concerns about gun violence in El Paso. An analysis of gun-related incidents in the city from 2014 through May 31, 2023, indicated a total of 446 gun violence acts, with a notable concentration in the west-central area around the Cincinnati entertainment district. Despite perceptions of increasing violence, data suggests that El Paso's homicide rate remains within its historical range.
