Officer Involved Shooting - Report #2020-03660525
By Christopher Cook

The Arlington Police Department has arrested three individuals suspected in a shooting incident that also involved two armed security guards and an on-duty Arlington Police Officer.

The security guards, who work at the Las Lomas Apartments, were helping the officer check surveillance footage for an unrelated case, when they heard multiple gunshots being fired outside the leasing office. As the officer and security guards went to investigate the shots, it is believed a suspect fired multiple rounds in the direction of the officer and security guards.

One round struck a security guard causing minor injury. Both security guards returned fire, and the officer discharged their firearm towards the suspects. It is not believed that any rounds from the security guards or the officers struck any persons.

The suspects fled the scene in a white Cadillac XTS immediately following the shooting. Officers located the vehicle a short time later and attempted to make a traffic stop. The driver did not initially pull over, and continued to drive. The car eventually came to a stop a short time later in the 2900 block of Bahar Drive. There were three men inside the vehicle. All of them complied with officers’ commands to exit the car and were detained.

Upon further investigation, officers determined all three men were involved in the shooting incident at the apartment complex. It’s believed they initially went to the complex to fire celebratory gunshots into the air for New Year’s Eve. Based on their statements to detectives and evidence gathered thus far, they were arrested on the following charges:

31-year-old Felix Barrientos, of Arlington, was charged with one count of Fleeing a Police Officer. He was driving the Cadillac XTS when officers tried to initiate the traffic stop.

28-year-old Juan Magallanes, of Arlington, was charged with one count of Discharge of a Firearm in Certain Municipalities. Officers confirmed he also had two active misdemeanor warrants out of Haltom City.

24-year-old David Garcia, of Arlington, was charged with one count of Discharge of a Firearm in Certain Municipalities. Officers confirmed he also had an outstanding warrant related to a traffic infraction in Arlington.

Additional charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.

 Investigators believe a fourth individual was with them at the time of the shooting, and that individual may be in possession of the firearm used during the offense. They are currently working to identify and locate him along with the rifle used in the offense.

 Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Julia Hall at 817.459.5325. Tipsters can also remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County 817.469.TIPS (8477).

 

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

The Arlington Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at Arlington Memorial Hospital in the 800 block of W. Randol Mill Road on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 6:54 p.m.

Officers determined that a female victim arrived at the hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Field officers determined that the shooting likely took place at the Las Lomas Apartments in the 800 block of Timberlake Drive. A field officer responded to the apartment complex later in the evening to check surveillance footage at the location.

The officer was inside the leasing office with two armed security guards checking the video footage when they heard multiple gunshots being fired outside of the leasing office. As the officer and security guards went to investigate the shots being heard, it is believed a suspect or possibly multiple suspects fired rounds at the direction of the officer and security guards. One round struck a security guard causing minor injury. Both security guards returned fire and the officer discharged their firearm towards the suspects.

 The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle after the shooting. Patrol officers detained three persons nearby and are trying to determine their involvement, if any. It is not believed at this time that any rounds from the security guards or the officer struck any person or persons. This is still an active scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Julia Hall at 817-459-5325. Tipsters can also remain anonymous by contacting Tarrant County Crime Stoppers at 817.469.TIPS. 

Police News Releases