Crime

3 murder suspects arrested in shooting death of man in Arlington parking lot, police say

Police arrested three people in connection with the killing of an Arlington man, after witnesses identified the suspects.
Police arrested three people in connection with the killing of an Arlington man, after witnesses identified the suspects. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Jarrell Thornton, 27, was shot to death on Oct. 13 as he was driving through the parking lot of an Arlington apartment complex. Now three people have been arrested in connection with his killing, police said on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Police obtained warrants for the arrests of Keontay Martin, 20, and Jaden Davidson and Armontay Valencia, both 21, on one count of murder each.

Valencia was arrested in Mesquite by the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force on Oct. 25. The U.S. Marshals also arrested Martin in Dallas on Oct. 29.

Arlington police took Davidson into custody during a traffic stop on Monday, Nov 11.

Police received a tip from a witness who provided information that they had been with Martin the night of the shooting at a location near the crime scene and heard him mention that he had just killed someone.

The witness stated that Martin was armed and Valencia was also with them that night, police said.

A second witness detectives spoke to confirmed that Valencia, Martin and a third person were present at the crime scene.

Homicide detectives identified the third person as Davidson, police said.

The night of the shooting, the three traveled to an apartment complex in the 2100 block of Wilcrest Drive to buy drugs from Thornton, police said.

Martin reportedly pulled out a gun after the transaction and began shooting at Thornton, police said.

Thornton was in his vehicle at the time and tried to drive away, but lost consciousness behind the wheel and ultimately collided with several parked vehicles, police said.

He was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police are still analyzing ballistic and forensic evidence in the case.

Valencia and Martin have been transferred to the Tarrant County Jail, while Davidson is being held at the Arlington City Jail, police said. Bond has been set at $150,000 for Valencia and Martin.

This story was originally published November 12, 2024 at 3:39 PM.

Shambhavi Rimal
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Shambhavi covers crime, law enforcement and other breaking news in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. She graduated from the University of North Texas and previously covered a variety of general assignment topics in West Texas. She grew up in Nepal.
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