On the afternoon of March 17, 2023, an argument erupted in the parking lot of a convenience store on South Westmoreland Road near the Dallas-Duncanville border. The dispute was between 20-year-old Taquan Cooks and 23-year-old Jacory Simpson. According to an affidavit, Cooks told investigators that Simpson had disrespected him at a nearby restaurant.
In response, Cooks shot Simpson several times.
After being shot, Simpson drew his own handgun and shot 19-year-old Donavon Jones in the head. Donavon, a Black man, was rushed to a local hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries the following day, March 18. It was not clear from police reports if Donavon was an intended target or an innocent bystander. After shooting Donavon, Simpson attempted to run but collapsed inside a nearby building. He was found by responding officers and transported to a hospital in critical condition.
The evening after Donavon’s death, a candlelight vigil was held in his memory at the same location. The gathering was interrupted when a white Chrysler drove by and an occupant opened fire on the crowd. Four people, including Donavon’s mother, were wounded in the drive-by shooting. Attendees at the vigil reportedly returned fire as the vehicle fled. All four victims were taken to hospitals and were listed in stable condition.
Initially, police arrested Taquan Cooks and charged him with assault for shooting Jacory Simpson. Authorities also obtained an arrest warrant for Simpson, charging him with the murder of Donavon Jones. The case took a significant turn a few days later when Jacory Simpson died from his gunshot wounds at the hospital on March 21, 2023.
Following Simpson’s death, the charge against Taquan Cooks was upgraded to murder. As of March 2023, Cooks was being held in the Dallas County Jail. The investigation into the separate drive-by shooting at the vigil was ongoing, and no arrests had been made in connection with that incident.
