FORNEY, Texas — Editor's Note: Article has been updated throughout as updates are received. Last update Sept. 9, 3:43 p.m. — Police are investigating a fatal shooting on Falcon Way, north of Forney in unincorporated Kaufman County, early Wednesday morning, a law enforcement source confirmed to inForney.com.
FORNEY, Texas — Editor's Note: Article has been updated throughout as updates are received. Last update Sept. 9, 3:43 p.m. — Police are investigating a fatal shooting on Falcon Way, north of Forney in unincorporated Kaufman County, early Wednesday morning, a law enforcement source confirmed to inForney.com.
The investigation's proximity to North Forney High School and Smith Intermediate has also prompted their closure for the day, according to the Forney Independent School District, citing traffic concerns due to the possible extended closure of the roadway.
At approximately 3:15 a.m., the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call from a passerby heading to work that they believed had been struck by a vehicle in the 6100 block of Falcon Way, on the street between North Forney High School and Smith Intermediate.
"When deputies arrived at the call location, they found that the unknown black male victim in his twenties had been shot and was deceased," Kaufman County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Deputy Scott Whitaker tells inForney.com.
Police say the male victim had been shot several times.
"At this time the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office has found no drug or gang connection to this incident nor any connection with any other shooting cases in Kaufman County," Whitaker stated in an update Wednesday afternoon. "Furthermore, the victim has no connection with Forney Independent School District."
"At this time the victim has not been identified and there is no suspect information at this time."
A justice of the peace ordered the body transported to the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy and identification. Thursday afternoon, authorities confirmed the victim's identity as 22-year-old Desmond Dante Smith.
The Forney Independent School District sent the following message to North Forney High School and Smith Intermediate families:
"Dear North Forney and Smith Families,
All classes and morning activities for North Forney and Smith Intermediate have been cancelled today, Wednesday, Sept. 8.
Law enforcement agencies are currently working an incident off-campus that is blocking a large area of roadway around North Forney High and Smith Intermediate for an indefinite amount of time today. Access to the two campuses will be restricted due to the ongoing police investigation.
We appreciate your understanding."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Kaufman County Sheriff's Office Investigator Mitchel Hempel at (972) 932-9789 or email mitchel.hempel@kaufmanso.com. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can contact the Kaufman County Crime Stoppers at (877) 847-7522.
This is a developing story.