From FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth · Carter Freemon · · 1m 50s
Charges dropped in Richardson Waffle House shooting
Police dropped charges against three teens arrested after a March shooting that left a student paralyzed, but the actual shooter remains at large.
In brief
Police dropped charges against three teens arrested after a March shooting that left a student paralyzed, but the actual shooter remains at large. The three arrested teens were not the shooter, and without enough evidence to prosecute them, police have suspended active investigation unless new leads emerge. Originally…
Charges dropped against three teens
Richardson Police dropped charges against 18-year-old Taylor Griffin, 17-year-old Charles Webster, and a juvenile suspect arrested in connection to a March 19 Waffle House shooting.
The shooting and its victim
On March 19, 18-year-old Seth Jackson was shot in the Waffle House parking lot on Spring Valley Road and left permanently paralyzed from the waist down.
How the shooting started
The incident began after 50 to 100 people went to the Waffle House following a Dallas police breakup of a twerk pajama party. An argument led Griffin and Webster to punch others, then multiple people pulled guns.
Why charges were dropped
Police said they did not develop enough evidence to move forward with charges after interviewing witnesses and persons of interest over several months.
“Unless there's new evidence or leads to pursue, it stops being an active case, that's where we are now.”
Police theory on arrests
Criminologist Alex del Carmen suggests police may have hoped one of the three arrested teens would cooperate and identify the shooter in exchange for a deal.
“One of them begins to talk with the cops, right? One of them begins to talk to law enforcement and then they begin to say you know, look, cut me a deal.”
Victim's family disappointed
Seth Jackson's father told police he was disappointed the case is no longer active. Jackson was planning to attend the University of Houston before the shooting.
Police still seeking the shooter
Richardson Police have not identified or arrested the actual shooter. They released photos of five persons of interest and believe students from Richardson ISD and Anna ISD were involved.
How to help the investigation
Anyone with information about the shooting can contact Richardson Police at 972-744-4893. The case could become active again if new evidence or leads emerge.
What it means
The three arrested teens were not the shooter, and without enough evidence to prosecute them, police have suspended active investigation unless new leads emerge.
