A suspect was shot and killed by police following a pursuit, according to law enforcement officials.
During a press conference on Friday evening, the Dallas Chief of Police described the shooting of Officer Darron Burks, who was attacked while sitting in his patrol car, as an “execution.” Two additional officers were injured in response to the incident, resulting in the death of the suspect, identified as Corey Cobb-Bey, 30.
“Our officers were targeted simply for wearing the uniform and for their brave and honorable work,” stated Dallas Chief of Police Edgardo Garcia.
The confrontation occurred around 10:04 p.m. CT on Thursday when Officer Burks was in his squad car outside a community center. Cobb-Bey approached, briefly conversing with Burks while filming the interaction on his cellphone before pulling out a handgun and shooting Burks, as detailed by Garcia, who appeared visibly shaken as he recounted the events.
When a dispatcher noticed something unusual on Burks’ radio, officers were dispatched to check on him. Simultaneously, Cobb-Bey retrieved a shotgun from his vehicle, which he had parked just minutes earlier, and placed it on the roof of Burks’ squad car.
As Senior Corporal Jamie Farmer arrived at the scene around 10:11 p.m. CT, Cobb-Bey immediately fired a handgun at him. Officer Farmer returned fire while moving across the parking lot, at which point Cobb-Bey picked up the shotgun and shot at Farmer, injuring him.
Shortly after, Senior Corporal Karissa David arrived and positioned her car at the parking lot’s entrance. Cobb-Bey ran towards her and fired multiple shots as she exited her vehicle. David returned fire but was hit in the face during the exchange.
Following the initial incident, a police sergeant who arrived next saw Cobb-Bey near his vehicle and directed fellow officers to pursue him after he fled. Police chased Cobb-Bey onto Interstate 35E, where he eventually stopped and exited his vehicle while pointing the shotgun at the officers. They responded by firing at Cobb-Bey, hitting him multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and two firearms, a .22 caliber handgun and a 9mm handgun, were recovered.
Officer Burks succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while Officer David remains in critical but stable condition and has a long recovery ahead. Officer Farmer, who was shot in the leg, has since been released from the hospital.
Garcia confirmed that Cobb-Bey legally purchased the weapons used in the shooting and stated that there is currently no evidence of any prior acquaintance between him and Officer Burks.
In the days leading up to the shooting, Cobb-Bey had posted online about difficulties in his personal and professional life and had approached an unmarked police vehicle, questioning the officers about their presence, according to the investigation.
Garcia labeled the attack as a “senseless, evil act” and stated that it appeared to be premeditated, targeting the police solely due to their uniforms. He noted that evidence suggests Cobb-Bey may have been associated with the Moorish Sovereign Citizens movement, which has a history of confrontations with law enforcement.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson described the situation as “devastating” and honored Officer Burks as a “hero,” emphasizing the need to combat violence in communities and to remember the sacrifices made by law enforcement.