FORT WORTH, Texas — Another deadly shooting in Fort Worth's West 7th entertainment district in less than six months has city leaders are under pressure to make the area safer.
The shooting happened over the weekend, and late Monday afternoon, the Fort Worth Police Department announced new developments in the case.
"Our homicide unit, which worked tirelessly through the weekend has just obtained a warrant for that person's arrest for the charge of murder," said FWPD Sgt. Jason Spencer.
Even after identifying Karlove Palmer, 29 as the suspect in Saturday's shooting, police still have their work cut out making the area safe. Palmer has been charged with murder and in custody at the Tarrant County Jail.
Just after 10 p.m. Saturday, officers rushed to Crockett Street and Norwood Street. They found 29-year-old Bryson Rogers shot. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital, but he did not survive his injuries.
Rogers' shooting death comes less than six months after TCU student Wes Smith was shot dead in the same area. Since then, FWPD, city council members, along with bar and restaurant owners in the entertainment district, have worked on an ongoing security plan to make the area safer.
Bar owner Emil Bragdon believes police are trying to prevent such deadly violence, but he insists there are people who with ill intentions that will do violence regardless of the work they are doing to prevent it, especially since police can't intervene in every single dispute that happens in the area.
"It happens on a whim, and you can't stop people from being evil like that," said Bragdon. "And that's what happened."
West 7th is in Councilwoman Elizabeth Beck's council area. She and city leaders will use grant money to pay unarmed ambassadors to help with street patrols. FWPD also has a 25-officer unit working weekends for the almost 10,000 visitors who come there for the nightlife, restaurants and entertainment on weekends.
Beck still urges West 7th visitors to do their part when it comes to making sure police know about suspicious people and activity, especially before something escalates to gunfire.
"If you see something, say something," Beck said. "Find a police officer, there's plenty down there on the bike or patrolling or even working off duty at the bars."
According to FWPD, officers use about 20 street cameras to help monitor the entertainment district.
In 2023, officers confiscated 115 illegal guns in this area alone. Still, after yet another deadly shooting in a place that's supposed to draw people for fun, business owners are not deterred by Saturday's violent crime.
"No matter how many things you do to help ensure safety in the area, things do happen, and evil is out there," Bragdon said.
Bragdon and other West 7th business owners meet every first Monday of the month. The deadly shooting and other safety measures topped the agenda as they discussed future plans with police and city leaders.
FWPD did not release the name of the person wanted in the latest deadly shooting. Spencer did share that the shooting victim and the suspect had an altercation prior to the shots being fired Saturday night.
NOTE: The video below was filmed before the suspect reportedly turned himself in.