Dallas officers shoot murder suspect after chase ends in Mesquite

MESQUITE, Texas - A murder suspect was shot by Dallas police officers after a chase that ended in Mesquite.

Police say a man accused of killing his girlfriend at a Dallas apartment led police on a chase into Mesquite where at least one officer fired their weapon and struck the suspect several times.

The shooting happened Friday after a police chase involving Dallas PD officers and ended in the 500 block Parkwood Trail in Mesquite.

Dallas police say officers began chasing 58-year-old Jerry Ford after he confessed to his sister that he committed a murder. 

The alleged murder happened in the 8900 block of Park Lane in Dallas. When police arrived at 10:15 a.m., they found 40-year-old Nicole McChriston dead from homicidal violence.

“As uniformed officers arrived at the location, they made entry into an apartment and found an approximately 40-year-old female victim deceased from homicidal violence,” said Dallas Police Deputy Chief Reuben Ramirez.

Police say Ford took off in McChriston’s car. Officers later found it near Mesquite and started following, which led to a short chase.

“That chase led to the 500 block of Parkwood Trail where that vehicle eventually crashed and four Dallas officers were involved in an officer involved shooting,” Ramirez said.

Since the chase ended up in Mesquite, Mesquite police were called to assist but say by the time their officers arrived, Ford had already been shot several times by Dallas officers.

“As our officers got here, Dallas officers were administering aid to the suspect,” said Mesquite Police Lt. Stephen Biggs.

Mesquite police say they found a large hunting knife by Ford's vehicle.

Ford was taken to the hospital where police say he was able to speak with detectives.

According to Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall who was on scene, the suspect confessed to the murder to his sister. Dallas police say he also has a prior criminal record.

“The suspect involved in this incident we believe is a suspect in the murder,” Ramirez said. “We do have a previous report of domestic violence that involves this suspect where he was charged with aggravated assault on July 26, 2020 and was released on a $25,000 bond.”

Mesquite police are investigating the officer-involved shooting since it happened in their jurisdiction while Dallas police are heading up the murder investigation. They are waiting to release the names of those involved until after family is notified.

Ford will be charged with murder. His bond has not yet been set.