Maurisha Givens, 24, Fatally Shot in West Dallas; Community Left Grieving as Police Search for Answers Amid Ongoing Investigation
DALLAS, TEXAS — In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 21, 2025, tragedy struck the West Dallas community when 24-year-old Maurisha Givens was shot and killed in a quiet residential neighborhood, leaving behind a community in mourning and a family reeling with grief.
The fatal shooting occurred shortly before 2 a.m. in the 5800 block of Bernal Drive, an area typically characterized by modest homes, the hum of overnight traffic, and the calm rhythm of weekend nights. According to the Dallas Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call reporting gunfire and the possible presence of a shooting victim. Upon arrival, officers discovered Givens lying unresponsive on the ground, suffering from what appeared to be at least one gunshot wound.
Dallas Fire-Rescue arrived minutes later and attempted lifesaving measures. Despite their efforts, Givens was pronounced dead at the scene, her life taken just steps away from where she was last seen alive.
As of this report, law enforcement officials have not publicly named a suspect or provided information regarding a motive. The homicide division of the Dallas Police Department has launched a full investigation, and detectives are actively canvassing the area, reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residences, and interviewing potential witnesses.
Who Was Maurisha Givens?
Friends, family, and neighbors describe Maurisha Givens as a vibrant, ambitious, and deeply compassionate young woman. At just 24 years old, she was navigating early adulthood with determination, carrying the dreams of her family and community with her.
“She was one of the brightest lights in our lives,” said Tanya Givens, Maurisha’s mother, during an emotional interview. “She was my baby girl — full of ideas, always ready to help somebody, and always dreaming bigger than the circumstances we came from.”
Maurisha, known affectionately as “Risha” to those closest to her, was the youngest of three siblings. She graduated from Pinkston High School in 2019 and had recently been working two jobs — one as a barista in downtown Dallas, and another part-time at a local youth center where she mentored teens and helped organize weekend enrichment activities.
“She loved those kids,” said Renee Thompson, the center’s director. “She’d stay after hours, help clean up, plan the next week’s events, and even help with tutoring. It wasn’t just a job to her. She believed in them — she believed in all of us.”
The Night of the Shooting: A Timeline
The details of what led up to the shooting remain under investigation, but police have confirmed that a call for assistance was received around 1:54 a.m., reporting possible gunshots in the 5800 block of Bernal Drive. When police arrived on the scene within minutes, they found Maurisha alone and unresponsive.
There are conflicting accounts regarding whether she was walking home from a gathering or had stepped outside to meet someone. Investigators are reportedly reviewing nearby security cameras and digital evidence, including phone records, to determine what took place in the final moments of her life.
“We are treating this as a homicide, and every available resource is being deployed to gather information,” said Sgt. Adrian Wallace of the Dallas Police Homicide Division during a press briefing. “We urge anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in the area around that time to come forward.”
Despite their appeals, police have not disclosed whether they have identified a person of interest or established any known connections between the victim and the shooter.
The Crime Scene: A Quiet Street Turned Tragic
The scene on Bernal Drive was quickly cordoned off with crime scene tape as detectives and forensics teams worked through the early morning hours. Evidence markers lined the sidewalk, and investigators moved carefully under floodlights, combing the area for shell casings, fingerprints, and any other potential clues.
Witnesses reported hearing several loud bangs that some initially mistook for fireworks before realizing the severity of the situation.
“I heard three or four pops, and at first, I thought it was just someone playing around with fireworks — it’s not uncommon around here,” said Raul Mendoza, a resident who lives two houses away. “But then I saw the police lights, and my heart sank.”
Many neighbors, visibly shaken, gathered outside in their pajamas, quietly speculating about what had happened as they waited for more information.
“It’s scary. I’ve lived here for over 15 years, and this kind of thing — it just shakes you to your core,” said Tamika Riley, who lives across the street.
Family’s Heartbreak and Plea for Justice
The Givens family has been devastated by the loss. Speaking through tears, her mother described the past day as a blur of disbelief and heartbreak.
“I still expect her to walk through that door, smiling, joking, asking what’s for dinner,” Tanya said. “I don’t understand who would want to hurt her. She never hurt anybody.”
The family is now preparing for a funeral they never imagined planning, leaning on their faith, and calling for justice.
“We won’t stop until we find out who did this to my sister,” said Demarcus Givens, Maurisha’s older brother. “She mattered. She was loved. And whoever took her from us has to be held accountable.”
In partnership with their church and several community organizations, the family is organizing a candlelight vigil and memorial service to be held later this week at a nearby park, where Maurisha used to take children from the youth center.
Community Reacts: Mourning, Anger, and a Renewed Call for Change
Maurisha’s death has ignited an outpouring of grief and frustration in the community. Dozens of people have visited the scene of the shooting to leave flowers, candles, handwritten notes, and photos.
“She was so young, had so much life ahead of her,” said Pastor Darnell Bridges of New Light Missionary Baptist Church. “This isn’t just about one tragedy — it’s about the pattern of violence that’s taking too many of our young people far too soon.”
Several community leaders and activists have spoken out, using Maurisha’s death as a rallying cry for renewed focus on preventing gun violence in Dallas.
“Enough is enough,” said Jazmine Allen, co-founder of Dallas Voices United. “We have to protect our girls. We have to invest in our communities. Maurisha deserved to grow old.”
The Broader Context: Gun Violence in West Dallas
While crime rates in Dallas have fluctuated in recent years, neighborhoods like West Dallas have consistently seen higher rates of gun-related incidents. Socioeconomic disparities, limited access to resources, and systemic challenges have often left residents feeling overlooked by broader crime prevention strategies.
According to 2024 crime statistics from the Dallas Police Department, West Dallas experienced a 14% increase in violent crime incidents compared to the previous year. Homicides, while down citywide, remained concentrated in specific zip codes — including the one where Maurisha lived and died.
“We cannot treat these deaths as isolated incidents,” said Dr. Celeste Moore, a criminologist at the University of Texas at Dallas. “Each life lost is a reflection of broader societal issues — from gun accessibility to urban neglect to community trauma.”
Investigation Continues: How You Can Help
As the Dallas Police Department continues its investigation, they are urging anyone who may have seen anything unusual in the area that night or has any information — no matter how small — to come forward.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 214-373-TIPS (8477). Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.
“We want to bring closure to the family and justice for Maurisha,” Sgt. Wallace reiterated. “But we need the community’s help.”
Remembering Maurisha: A Life That Touched Many
As the city reels from this senseless loss, those who knew Maurisha best hope she will be remembered not for the way she died, but for the life she lived.
“She was going to be something big — you just knew it,” said her former teacher, Mrs. Lisa Holloway. “She had the kind of soul that lifted people up.”
“She was more than a statistic,” added her cousin, Shaniqua. “She was a daughter, a sister, a mentor, a friend. And she deserved so much more.”
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MAURISHA GIVENS (2000 – 2025)
Gone too soon, but never forgotten.
