FORT WORTH, Texas — Christmas 2023 weekend turned out to be unforgettable for several Fort Worth families this holiday season no thanks to deadly gunfire.
Jose Diaz showed WFAA why he and his family are counting their blessings this Christmas. They had a close call Christmas weekend with gunfire that forced them to take cover at home.
Just minutes after his wife and kids got home and out of their SUV on loan from the auto repair shop, a stray bullet entered the passenger back window and struck the driver seat headrest. Jose and his wife were in their garage at the time.
They also heard a second one hit his truck.
"I heard the one ricochet off the truck," said Jose Diaz, "I and my wife ran inside and hurry up and told the kids to go to the back."
Jose's security cameras recorded two rounds of gunfire Friday night. The surveillance video from his home security system also shows a man in the street at the time of the shooting.
The shooting happened just after 11 p.m. on Cynthia Court, according to the Fort Worth Police Department. When officers arrived at the scene they found five people shot.
One person did not survive and their identity is unknown at this time. The other four shooting victims were treated at the hospital for their injuries.
When Jose and his family came out of hiding, they witnessed the aftermath of one of the scariest moments of their lives.
"We just seen on the floor just screaming and yelling," said Jose Diaz, "It was a very scary moment."
Scary because since living on Cynthia Court for two years, nothing like this has ever happened. Up until this Christmas weekend, there has been nothing on the Cul de sac that has risen to this level of danger. So, they've always felt pretty safe.
"We don't usually hear anything. Our neighborhood is usually nice and quiet right here," said Jose Diaz.
Police believe the shooting stems from an argument at one of Jose's neighbors' homes just a few houses down from his.
Homicide detectives are working to identify the man caught on camera during the shooting. They also hope to learn more about a car seen speeding away moments after the deadly gunfire, which also hit homes and multiple cars.
"I am just thankful that we didn't get hit," said Jose Diaz.
Anyone with information that can help can contact Fort Worth Police Detective Reyes at 817-392-4313 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 817-469-TIPS.