ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington police homicide detectives spent part of Friday back at an apartment complex where they are investigating a triple homicide.
An Arlington police spokesperson says one of the victims' two children possibly witnessed the shooting. The victim's neighbor, who lives right next door, says he heard the gunfire and spent hours trying to calm down his family. But he didn't realize what they heard was actually gunfire.
"It is real frightening," said Loqman Mohammed.
Logan Mohammed and his family have lived in Chatham Green Village for a peaceful five years, they say. But on Thursday night while he and his family watched a movie, their peaceful evening got seriously interrupted.
"My little girl was in the restroom, and she started screaming," said Loqmon Mohammed, "Her mother rushed in there. 'What is that?' My little girl was like, 'What is that noise?" Two pops followed by a, you know, spaced out other pop, as my wife describes it."
Mohammed managed to calm down his family from the noise. They continued with the movie and eventually noticed a lot of flashing lights outside their apartment. That's because shortly after they heard the popping noise, someone called 911 after finding a man outside an apartment door on the ground near their apartment, police say.
When Arlington police arrived, they say they found the door kicked in and the other two victims. Once inside the apartment, officers say they located a second and his girlfriend, both shot dead, possibly witnessed by her two children.
"The police officer, he was he was taking them to the cruiser. I just overheard him saying that, 'Everything's going to be all right. Don't worry, I got you,'" said Mohamed.
According to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner, the woman who died was 29-year-old Monique Smith. One of the men was identified as 29-year-old Shannen Jones.
"When we put on this uniform every day, we never expect to find two children that possibly witnessed a triple murder," said Sgt. Courtney White, "It's our job to show compassion."
During a news conference Friday afternoon, Sgt. Courtney White said their investigators believe the triple murder is drug-related based on evidence found in the apartment.
Detectives returned to the complex Friday to search for any other clues, hoping that daylight would help with their investigation. Detectives canvassed the area for possible doorbell camera systems or surveillance camera locations along the possible path of the suspect.
Arlington police have not publicly identified the couple or the man found outside the apartment. A witness gave police a description of a man seen leaving the complex at the time of the shooting.
"This was a senseless crime," said White, "And we want the suspect to know that the Arlington Police Department is going to do everything that we can to find you."
Anyone with information about the triple homicide can call Arlington Police Department Detective VanTreeck at 817-459-5691. Anyone with clues about the case who wants to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County at 817-469-8477.
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