DALLAS — Police arrested a man Saturday night suspected of using an “edged weapon” to kill a 4-year-old boy who was found dead on a street in a Texas neighborhood earlier that day.
Update 7:25 p.m. EDT May 16: Dallas police identified the suspect Sunday afternoon as Darriynn Brown.
Brown, 18, has been charged with kidnapping and theft, though more charges are expected following “forensic analysis,” KDFW reported
The boy’s name has not been released.
Original report: “Unfortunately, a small child was lost today in our city through a violent act and we will pursue justice to find whoever did this and bring some sort of closure, not only to family but to the community,” Dallas police Executive Assistant Chief Albert Martinez told KXAS. “We are shocked, we are very angry about what has happened to this small child.”
Martinez said the circumstances were “unusual” but did not release details, KXAS reported.
“A child was murdered through a violent act,” Martinez said. “We believe an edged weapon was used.”
Police have not identified the child who they believe lives in the neighborhood, KDFW reported. A parent was notified. It is unclear if the child was reported missing. Investigators believe the child was killed around 5:30 a.m., KXAS reported.
Investigators arrested a man Saturday night, KXAS reported. Police said he would be identified after he was booked into jail.
Antwainese Square was on her morning walk when she found the child’s body around 6:40 a.m., KXAS reported.
“The baby didn’t have shoes, he didn’t have a shirt on and he was just laying there,” she said.
Dallas police and the FBI are investigating, KXAS reported.