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North Texas shooting suspect arrested in Mississippi following year-long investigation

According to police, the 27-year-old suspect was transported back to Dallas on Thursday.

SUNNYVALE, Texas — The Sunnyvale Police Department says 27-year-old Quantavius Gomillia was arrested and charged him with the murder of Tyesha Merritt, who was shot back on June, 4, 2023. 

According to the Sunnyvale Police Department, Gomillia was arrested in Mississippi earlier this week and transported back to Dallas by the Dallas County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, June 27. 

Police say there are additional pending charges related to injuries suffered by three children and another adult that were involved in the shooting. 

According to police, the shooting occurred at the Riverstone Apartments in the 200 block of Planters Road. 

Police say officers received a call around 6 p.m. that day about a reported weapons disturbance. 

According to police, two suspects, a man and a woman, reportedly followed the victims' car into a lot, where one of the suspects got out and opened fire into the victims' car. 

Merritt died at the scene, police said. Merritt's brother and his three children were also in the car during the assault and were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

In 2023, WFAA spoke with Merritt's mother, Varineke Merritt, who said the family had planned a family barbecue for that day, but her daughter never made it. 

"I called her and called her and kept calling her phone and she never answered," said Varineke. 

She said her daughter had been working hard to get life back on track after some struggles. She described her as "a big teddy bear" and a great big sister to her brother with special needs. 

The Sunnyvale Police Chief Bill Vegas thanked the Mesquite Police Department Criminal Investigative Unit, Carrollton Police Department and the FBI for their relentless pursuit to catch those responsible for the shooting. 

Information about the second suspect's status was not disclosed. 

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