Summary: Four convicted felons have been arrested in the connection of four murders in the Dallas area that took place within 48 hours.
After a series of murders had popped up in the Dallas area, detectives spent a week piecing the clues together, resulting in finally having all suspects locked up. Three men and one woman have been placed behind in bars in connection with four murders that happened within 48 hours.
Homicide detectives say that the killings were over a scheme to lure “johns” so they could be robbed. While the murders appeared at random, once the detectives found a lead, they were able to quickly connect the dots. The suspects – Joy Gray, 21; Emmanuel Kilpatrick, 31; Jermon Simmons, 34, and Kevin Kidd, 28, are in the Dallas County jail for the double murder of Irby Walton Sr. and his son Irby Walton Jr.
The first murder victim was a woman who authorities’ state was supposed to be their prostitute for their robbery scheme. Sources told police that Kidd described how they had grabbed the woman at gunpoint and forced her into a car with Kilpatrick. Simmons was following in another car. When she refused to prostitute for them, he shot her. Video footage shows their two vehicles arriving and leaving the location where her body was found. The woman had been shot many times. Her identity is not being released since it is an ongoing investigation.
The second and third victims were the Walton’s. Irby Sr. picked up Gray, agreeing to pay her for sex. He proceeded to take her back to his apartment around 11:30 pm where Irby Jr. was also. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots not even two hours later. The bodies of the two men were found later the next morning. Irby Sr.’s phone is what connected Gray to the murder. His phone contained photos of her and text messages. Police used a warrant for her arrest for failing to pay a ticket to question her about the two men.
Gray admitted to police that she texted her accomplices about what kind of electronics the Walton’s had in their apartment. She identified Kilpatrick, Kidd, and her boyfriend, Simmons, as being involved. Kidd indicated to police that Kilpatrick was giving the directions. He told Kidd to drive to the victim’s place where he then loaded up two televisions, an X-Box, and X-Box games into the car. When Kidd entered the apartment, the Walton’s were tied up on the floor. Irby Jr. was beginning to break free, so Kilpatrick instructed Simmons to re-tie him. Irby Jr. told them the key to the safe was in the bedroom.
Both were found tied up and shot to death in their apartment. The three suspects told police that Kilpatrick shot the men. Gray, Kilpatrick, and Simmons were charged with capital murder for their deaths. Gray is also charged with aggravated robbery. Detectives plan to upgrade her charge. One of the televisions was found at Kidd’s apartment. Irby Sr.’s car was found on Great Trinity Forest River Way burned.
The fourth victim was Cristobal Zepeda. He picked up Gray the evening after the Walton’s, agreeing to pay her for sex. He drove to an ATM to get money out and then drove around for about an hour to finish the transaction. Police stated that Gray was texting Kilpatrick about where they were located. Eventually, Kilpatrick and Simmons drove up to Zepeda’s car and blocked him in. They jumped out of their car and forced Zepeda out of his. They patted him down, looking for his wallet. Zepeda was able to get back into his car and try to drive off with his car door still open. Kilpatrick fired at least two rounds. One struck Zepeda in the head, killing him and sending his car crashing into a business gate where it struck a truck. His body was found the next morning by a business employee. Gray drew a diagram for police to show how it all went down. She admitted to robbing Zepeda but did not want him to be killed.
Police believe Kilpatrick, a convicted felon, was the shooter in all four murders. A gun was recovered from the residence where he was staying. It is currently being tested to determine if it was used for any or all of the attacks. One source stated, “This guy is trigger happy. He likes shooting people.”
Simmons admitted his involvement to police. He was convicted of murder in 2004. He was originally charged with capital murder but pleaded down and given a five-year prison sentence. He was released in 2014.
Kilpatrick refuses to speak to police. His police record includes convictions for evading arrest, burglary, and robbery. He was released from jail in October.
Kidd is also a convicted felon. His record includes robbery and evading arrest.
Gray is a convicted felon for tampering with a government record, criminal trespass, and prostitution.
Do you think they should be given lengthy prison sentences? Tell us in the comments below.
To learn more about other murder charges, read these articles:
- Sister’s Vaginal Distress Provides Solid Alibi for Man Accused of Murder
- Oscar Pistorius Sentenced to Six Years for Reeva Steenkamp’s Murder
- Kansas Attorney Accused of Murdering Her Father and His Girlfriend
Photo: WFAA.com