Deep Ellum shooting: Man shot trying to stop car break-in, witness says

DALLAS - A witness says a man was trying to stop a car break-in in Dallas' popular Deep Ellum entertainment district when he was shot early Thursday morning.

The shooting happened in a parking lot at Malcolm X Boulevard and Main Street shortly after midnight.

Witnesses say a man spotted another man trying to break into his car.

"It really seemed like he was trying to scare him off, like, what are you doing to my car?" said witness Stephen Martinez.

The vehicle owner yelled at the suspect and began to approach, but the suspect was undeterred and continued to try to break into the car.

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When the victim got within 15 feet of the suspect, things turned violent.

"He kinda waited there until the victim got close, and pulled a gun on him," Martinez said.

The suspect reportedly shot the victim multiple times in the chest.

The wounded man was taken to Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in critical condition.

The Dallas Police Department says officers with the Deep Ellum Task Force were on the scene within a minute of the shooting, but the suspect fled the scene on foot and remains at large.

Detectives are now assigned to the case.

"Obviously, they're going to be looking for any surveillance. Certainly, surveillance video, talking with witnesses, trying to identify the suspect," said DPD spokeswoman Kristin Lowman.

Crime scene techs were able to lift fingerprints from the victim's car.

"We do not have a description at this time of the suspect. Just asking everyone to be, you know, obviously aware of their surroundings. And if you see anything suspicious, always call 911," said Lowman.