Abdelkrim Belachheb’s 1984 Nightclub Massacre in Dallas
Overview
On June 29, 1984, Abdelkrim Belachheb, a 39-year-old Moroccan national residing in the U.S., opened fire in Ianni’s Restaurant and Club—a nightclub in Dallas, Texas—killing six people and wounding one. Although he murdered multiple victims, Texas law at the time did not define multiple murders alone as a capital offense, so the death penalty was unavailable. Belachheb was sentenced to life in prison, and his case prompted the Texas Legislature to pass a new “multiple murder” capital statute the following year. Belachheb died in prison in 2017 of natural causes.
Shooting Details (June 29, 1984, around 12:15 a.m.)
- Belachheb began arguing with a woman on the dance floor, who ultimately shoved him and called him a derogatory name.
- He left briefly, retrieved a Smith & Wesson 459 pistol from his car, returned, and said to the woman, “I’ve had enough with you,” then shot her point-blank.
- He proceeded to walk along the row of bar stools and shot four more patrons.
- He exited, then re-entered the club and fatally shot another man.
- As he fled, he shot a seventh man who survived. He also fired at an employee just outside.
- Five victims died at the scene; the woman died en route to the hospital, and one man survived with serious injuries.
- He was calm both during and after the shooting, was arrested less than two hours later at a friend's house near his car crash site.
Victims (Names & Notes)
- Marcelle Ford – dance partner with whom Belachheb had the initial argument; shot and killed.
- Frank Parker – victim of the shooting.
- Joseph Minasi – victim of the shooting.
- Janice Smith – victim of the shooting.
- Linda Lowe – victim of the shooting.
- Ligia Kozlowski – victim of the shooting.
- One additional man was critically injured but survived; his name is not publicly documented.
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