On March 15, 2023, Danielle Jones, a 30-year-old single mother from Houston, Texas, was tragically killed in a shooting at the Bitter End nightclub in Dallas' Deep Ellum neighborhood. Jones was visiting Dallas with her 8-year-old son during spring break and had gone out for a "Mom’s Night Out" when the incident occurred.
The shooting took place around 1:20 a.m.
According to police reports, 37-year-old Rickey Gossett was on the patio of the bar when he was approached by a suspect who fired multiple shots, fatally wounding him. One of the bullets penetrated a window, striking Jones, who was inside the establishment. A third individual was injured by a bullet fragment but survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
In June 2023, Dallas police identified and charged 25-year-old Tommy Spell with capital murder in connection to the deaths of Jones and Gossett. At the time of the charge, Spell was already in the Dallas County Jail on unrelated felony charges, including aggravated robbery and deadly conduct. The authorities have not publicly disclosed the evidence linking Spell to the Deep Ellum shooting.
Following the tragedy, Jones' family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Bitter End bar, alleging negligence in providing adequate security measures despite being located in an area known for violent crimes. The lawsuit contends that the bar's failure to ensure sufficient security exposed patrons, including Jones, to unreasonable risk.
Danielle Jones was remembered by friends and family as a loving and caring individual, dedicated to providing a better future for her son. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with memorial expenses and to support her son's future needs.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about safety in entertainment districts and the responsibilities of establishments to protect their patrons from potential harm.
