A 20-year-old Cedar Hill man faces multiple charges after DeSoto police said officers responding to a gunshot-detection alert recovered a stolen handgun early Monday.
A ShotSpotter alert notified officers of suspected gunfire near an apartment complex in the 1200 block of East Pleasant Run Road at about 1:45 a.m. July 27, according to the DeSoto Police Department.
Police said the gunfire was detected within 300 feet of a school campus.
Witnesses told officers they saw a man fire several rounds near Building 15 before running from the area.
Officers recovered spent 9 mm shell casings near the location identified by the detection system, police said.
Witnesses provided a description of the man.
During a search of the apartment complex and surrounding neighborhood, officers located a man in the 1000 block of Cottonwood Drive whose clothing matched that description, according to police.
The man was identified as Brandon Jayveon Walker of Cedar Hill.
Police said officers recovered a 9 mm handgun from Walker’s waistband and determined the weapon had been reported stolen.
Witnesses identified Walker as the person they saw firing the gun, according to the department.
Walker initially gave officers a false name before police confirmed his identity using identification found in his possession, the department said.
Walker was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony in a weapons-free zone, theft of a firearm and deadly conduct. All three charges are felonies.
He also was charged with failure to identify by intentionally providing false information to a peace officer, a misdemeanor.
Police Chief Joseph Costa credited the department’s gunshot-detection technology, information from witnesses and the responding officers’ investigation with leading to the arrest and recovery of the firearm.
“This case highlights the importance of technology, community cooperation and proactive police work,” said Police Chief Joseph Costa. “The ShotSpotter alert enabled officers to respond quickly, witnesses provided valuable information, and our officers’ diligent investigation led to the arrest of an armed suspect and the recovery of a stolen firearm.”
Police did not release information about Walker’s bond or whether he remained in custody.
The investigation remains ongoing. The charges are allegations, and Walker is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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