Suspect at large after deadly exchange of gunfire at Oak Cliff tattoo shop

Suspect wanted after deadly gunfire at tattoo shop

The owner of Legendary Ink in Dallas was killed after an exchange of gunfire with an armed suspect Tuesday night.

DALLAS - An employee of a tattoo shop was killed in an overnight shooting in the Cedar Crest area of Dallas.

Some customers tell FOX 4 that they just saw the owner of the tattoo shop yesterday, at the shop for normal appointments.  FOX 4’s Peyton Yager spoke with the victim’s family over the phone on Wednesday.

The family says they haven't slept, stating the victim is a father and also has twins on the way. 

Legendary Ink shooting

What we know:

At 10 p.m. on Tuesday evening, Dallas police responded to a shooting call at East 11th St and Cedar Crest Blvd in Oak Cliff.

27-year-old Just Smith-Gibbs was shot and killed at the tattoo shop he owned, Legendary Ink.

His corvette was always parked out front, according to his customers.

According to officers on scene, an armed suspect approached the victim and started shooting before the victim returned gunfire.

Glass was left behind on Wednesday marking where the shootout happened. Officers on scene say the suspect ran off. However, a motive hasn't been released by police.

Local perspective:

Leeanna Coleman cherished her appointments with her tattoo artist, trusting only Just Smith-Bibbs to ink her whole body for the past six years.

"It's sad that he isn't here anymore. We will miss him a lot," said Coleman. 

A place Coleman called a safe space for her and her artist's work. 

"He is really a legend. I feel like he was really legendary and…" Coleman continued. "He didn't have to die like that."

Homicide detectives are now working to pull the business' surveillance footage.

"This shouldn't be happening in my community. a businessman should be able to go into his business, take care of his business and go home safe and back to his family," said nearby business owner, Isreal Fininen.

What's next:

No arrests have been made yet and police say after the exchange of gunfire, the suspect ditched their vehicle and ran off.  

This remains an ongoing investigation.