Police have not identified the victim or released a description of the person suspected of shooting him Tuesday night.
DALLAS, Texas — Dallas homicide detectives were searching Thursday for an unknown assailant after a man was shot in West Dallas, drove away and died when his pickup entered Fish Trap Lake, according to police.
The investigation remained in its early stages more than a day after the shooting. Authorities had not identified the victim, described the suspect or announced a possible motive. Police also had not said whether investigators recovered a weapon, obtained surveillance recordings or identified additional witnesses.
Dallas police responded at about 11:29 p.m. Tuesday to the 2200 block of Singleton Boulevard. The department said its preliminary investigation showed that an unknown person shot the victim and fled. The victim drove away before crashing into the lake near Singleton Boulevard and Fish Trap Road.
Officers received several 911 calls reporting a pickup in the water, according to police accounts provided at the scene. Responding officers entered the lake in an attempt to rescue the unresponsive driver. Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel also responded, but the man died there.
The victim’s identity remained pending assistance from the Dallas County medical examiner. Authorities did not disclose when his name might be released. Police commonly delay the release of a deceased person’s identity until relatives have been notified, but the department did not provide details about that process in this case.
Investigators believe events leading to the shooting may have begun at a shopping center near Singleton Boulevard and North Hampton Road. Witnesses told police that two drivers pulled into the parking lot and became involved in a confrontation before shots were fired.
Police have not publicly explained what started the confrontation. They also have not confirmed the number of shots fired, the distance between the shooter and the victim or whether anyone else was inside either vehicle.
After the gunfire, the suspect left the area and the wounded man drove away in his pickup, according to the preliminary account. The vehicle later entered Fish Trap Lake. Although reports from the scene suggested the driver may have become incapacitated, the Police Department’s written statement did not specify why he lost control.
The medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death. Police have classified the investigation as a homicide, but the department has not released autopsy findings or clarified whether the man died from the shooting, the crash or a combination of injuries.
Neighbors said they heard gunfire before seeing officers and emergency vehicles near the lake. One resident told FOX 4 that a woman whose home faced the water heard several shots and then saw the police response. Authorities have not said how many witness statements detectives have collected.
The investigation is listed as case number 114013-2026. Police asked anyone with information to contact Detective D. Mendoza at 214-671-4191 or daisy.mendoza@dallaspolice.gov. No arrests had been announced as of Thursday.
Author note: Last updated August 6, 2026.