A Texas law enforcement officer, Sr. Cpl. Karissa David, was critically injured and left blind after a gunman opened fire on her and two other officers in a targeted attack. David was discharged from the hospital on Sept. 19, with her family stating that she will require several months of outpatient care.
The incident occurred on Aug. 29 in the parking lot of the For Oak Cliff Community Campus. David, along with other officers, had responded to a distress call from Officer Darron Burks. Corey Cobb-Bey, 30, had ambushed Burks in his car between calls, according to Dallas police.
The police were alerted to the situation when they received an unusual transmission from Officer Burks’ radio just after 10 p.m. Sr. Cpl. Jamie Farmer was the first to arrive at the community center on East Ledbetter Drive and was immediately met with gunfire from Cobb-Bey. Cobb-Bey was armed with a 9mm handgun, a .22-caliber handgun, and two shotguns.
Farmer managed to return fire before running across the parking lot. Cobb-Bey then grabbed a shotgun and fired once, hitting Farmer in the leg. Cobb-Bey subsequently ran towards David’s car, which was parked at the entrance of the lot, and began firing as she exited her vehicle. Despite returning fire, David was hit in the face.
As Cobb-Bey led the police on a chase, the three injured officers were rushed to a hospital. Burks was pronounced dead upon arrival. David was initially listed in stable but critical condition, while Farmer was treated for his wounds and released the next day.
David’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with her recovery. “She is currently blind in both eyes and we ask for continued prayers for a miracle in that regards,” the family shared on the fundraising page. The funds raised, which currently stand at nearly $84,000, will be used for modifications to David’s home and tools to assist with her vision loss.
Cobb-Bey was eventually killed by police in Lewisville, 25 miles from the shooting scene, when he exited his car and pointed a shotgun at pursuing officers. He was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene.
Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia stated that Burks was “executed” in a targeted attack. “Our officers were targeted by nothing more than the uniforms that they wear and for the brave and honorable job that they do,” he said.