Irving, Texas – The quiet afternoon grew grim at a suburban Dallas Chick-fil-A on Wednesday when a gunman opened fire and killed two in what the Police termed a targeted attack. Irving Police launched a full-scale manhunt for the suspect, 37-year-old Bernardo Mendoza Argueta, who remains at large.
The shooting happened just before 4 pm at the fast-food chain on the 5300 block of North MacArthur Blvd. Police were alerted to the violence at around 3:50 pm, and officers who arrived at the scene found two people who were suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds. Irving Fire medics responded immediately, but both victims were declared dead at the scene.
Preliminary police investigations and eyewitness accounts indicate that the shooting was not a random act of violence but a well-calculated assault on targeted individuals. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, but police have been tight in trying to piece together what happened leading up to this tragic confrontation.
“This does appear to be an isolated incident, and preliminary indications are that it was a targeted attack,” an Irving Police Department spokesperson said. “Our officers are looking diligently into the dynamics of this unfortunate event and will work to ensure that the perpetrator faces justice as quickly as possible.”
The suspect, Argueta, fled in a silver 1997 Honda with Texas license plate GVH6205. According to the Irving Police Department, Argueta might still be armed and is to be considered dangerous. Residents are asked to be on the lookout for him and to immediately report any sighting of him or his vehicle to 911.
The area around Chick-fil-A was roped off as detectives arrived. TV footage from the scene showed police screens covering some of the restaurant’s windows, with several police cars and officers securing the scene. It was a scene of ordered confusion as law enforcers struggled to gather all evidence and eyewitness statements.
The police have been tight-lipped over the identification of the victims, preferring to hold back more details out of respect for family and the integrity of the ongoing investigation. He would not confirm whether the shooting happened inside the restaurant or in the Chick-fil-A parking lot, saying it is department practice as a way to respect business privacy in such sensitive investigations.
The community reaction to the shooting has been one of disbelief and mourning. Business owners and locals alike are trying to come to grips with the reality of such violence in their environs. “It is very unnerving to have something like this happen in our backyard,” said another business owner who asked not to be identified. “It really makes you think about the safety of our community.”
It is now calling on individuals with any information regarding the incident or Bernardo Mendoza Argueta’s whereabouts to step forward. “Community cooperation is vital in a case like this,” the spokesperson said. We’re asking anybody who might know something to help us bring closure to the families of the victims and safety back into our community.”
The manhunt continued in the face of Wednesday’s events, hard to shake off from people’s minds, a harsh reminder that at any moment and in any setting, tragedy can descend with the most awful violence. Though shaken, the community remains resolute, with local authorities reassuring citizens they are committed to safety and keeping order.
More details should be published as this story develops and after the investigation is complete. The Irving Police Department said it will keep the public updated as more information becomes available. The community waits with bated breath while the tragic incident sorts itself out.
For now, the silver 1997 Honda remains key evidence and may be a clue that led authorities to Argueta. It serves as a reminder to citizens to always be on the lookout and report any suspicious activity as the hunt for justice seeks action in the heart of Texas.
