Police are investigating after gunfire struck a driver near Walnut Hill Lane and Plano Road before the vehicle crashed into a tree.
DALLAS, TX — A driver was shot and killed Monday afternoon near a shopping center in Dallas’ Lake Highlands area, then crossed Walnut Hill Lane and crashed into a tree as police began investigating a shooting that remained unsolved Tuesday.
Dallas police said officers were called to the area of Plano Road and Walnut Hill Lane at about 12:20 p.m. Monday. Investigators determined that someone opened fire on the driver of a vehicle near a Family Dollar store. The wounded driver continued moving through the area before crashing. Dallas Fire-Rescue pronounced the victim dead at the scene. Authorities had not publicly identified the driver as of Tuesday, pending notification of family.
Surveillance video obtained by local television stations appeared to capture part of the shooting and its immediate aftermath. Video from a business sharing the shopping center showed a white vehicle moving through the parking lot as shots were fired at about 12:21 p.m. The vehicle then traveled out of the lot, crossed Walnut Hill Lane and came to a stop after crashing into a tree. Police received the surveillance footage as part of the investigation.
FOX 4 reported that another surveillance view showed a white SUV entering the parking lot shortly before a person in dark clothing appeared to fire toward the white car. The SUV later left the area. Police have not publicly confirmed how many people may have been involved, and investigators have not released a description of a suspect or suspects.
The shooting brought a large police response to the busy intersection. Walnut Hill Lane was blocked for hours while officers worked at the scene, and portions of the shopping center parking lot were restricted during the investigation. Television crews reported seeing numerous evidence markers in the parking lot. The victim’s vehicle came to rest across Walnut Hill Lane near a storage business.
People in the area described hearing the shooting shortly after noon. Landry Honeycutt, who lives nearby, told NBC 5 that he heard gunfire while he was in his garage. He later saw the victim’s vehicle across the street before emergency vehicles arrived. Another nearby resident, Cole Hassell, told FOX 4 that he and his wife returned from a Labor Day gathering to find the police investigation close to their home.
A Family Dollar manager told FOX 4 that the victim had been a customer at the store shortly before the shooting. According to the manager’s account, the customer made a purchase, returned to the vehicle and was then shot. That account provides part of the timeline before the gunfire, but police have not announced what they believe led to the attack.
Investigators have not released a motive or said whether the victim knew the person or people responsible. No arrests had been announced by Tuesday, and authorities had not publicly identified a suspected shooter. Police also have not disclosed whether they believe the shooting was targeted or what events may have preceded it.
The Dallas Police Department continued investigating the killing Tuesday. The victim’s identity was expected to be released after relatives were notified, but no additional information about a suspect, motive or possible arrests had been announced.
Author note: Last updated September 8, 2026.