A man is accused of capital murder following a shooting late on the Fourth of July outside a car wash in Fort Worth that claimed the lives of two young girls and one adult man, with three others wounded.
Fort Worth police responded to the Crystal Clean Car Wash on W. Cleburne Road around 11:40 p.m. where they found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower body. He later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
Additional victims, including sisters 15-month-old Wynter Thouston and 4-year-old Ivy Pierce, were transported to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth but tragically died shortly after midnight, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner. Three others sustained injuries that are not considered life-threatening.
The family of the girls, who had recently relocated to the area, declined to speak publicly but shared photographs of the sisters with NBC 5.
Fort Worth Chief of Police Neil Noakes expressed condolences, stating, “My heart breaks for the families who are waking up after the 4th of July, a day meant for celebration, to grieve the loss of young lives taken from senseless crime. We share in their grief and remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.”
Police investigations revealed that the shooting erupted from a fight between two individuals, leading to gunfire that injured multiple people. Video footage from the scene depicted numerous evidence markers near one of the car wash bays.
“Detectives determined that the suspect engaged in the altercation and fired at the victims and bystanders,” Fort Worth police stated. “The suspect himself sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.”
Identified as 26-year-old Kanard Trent Murphy, the suspect remains hospitalized under medical evaluation. He faces charges of capital murder of multiple persons. Murphy has not yet been booked into the Tarrant County Jail, and details regarding legal representation or bail are not disclosed.
Chief Noakes commended the community for their cooperation and urged vigilance in reporting suspicious activities as the investigation progresses.
