Erick Artea Lerma was 28 years old when he was shot and killed on March 31, 2026, in West Dallas. Following many reports of gunshots, officers were sent to the 4400 block of the Dallas Fort Worth Service Turnpike, which is located right off Interstate 30, at around 7:30 p.m. Lerma was suffering from a gunshot wound when they got there. He was declared deceased at the scene by Dallas Fire-Rescue.
The shooting occurred near a shopping area along a busy service road known for steady traffic. Witnesses reported seeing a vehicle leaving quickly after the gunfire, and investigators immediately began canvassing nearby businesses and residences for surveillance footage that could help track the suspect’s movements. Detectives worked through the night, documenting shell casings and interviewing individuals who had been in the vicinity.
According to the preliminary investigation, police determined that Lerma had been shot by 32-year-old Anthony Rios Rivera. Rivera fled before officers arrived, but later that evening, authorities located him and took him into custody without incident. He was transported to the Dallas County jail and now faces a murder charge. The case has been assigned to homicide detectives for continued investigation.
Police have not released details about a possible motive or whether Rivera and Lerma knew each other. The shooting appeared targeted, authorities said, though the circumstances leading to the encounter remain unclear. Detectives are reviewing evidence, awaiting additional witness statements, and hoping that dash-camera footage or business surveillance systems will provide more leads. The Dallas Police Department has encouraged anyone with information to come forward, referencing case number 045733-2026.
Lerma’s passing has heightened worries about gun violence in West Dallas, where locals have voiced dissatisfaction about previous occurrences. A homicide investigation is currently underway on the 4400 block of the Dallas Fort Worth Service Turnpike, a section of road usually used by commuters and shoppers. The lack of answers exacerbates Lerma’s family’s suffering. They are left to organize a funeral, grieve for a young guy who was taken too soon, and wait for justice that will not result in his return.
Anthony Rios Rivera is in custody, facing a murder charge. The investigation remains active, and authorities are working to determine the full sequence of events that unfolded along the service turnpike that evening. For the community of West Dallas, the hope is that the arrest will bring some measure of clarity. But for those who knew Erick Artea Lerma, the loss is already permanent. A 28-year-old man is dead, a suspect is in jail, and a neighborhood is left to wonder how a Tuesday evening turned into a tragedy.