Dallas activist's grandson killed in shooting

DALLAS - The 19-year-old grandson of the Rev. Ronald Wright was shot and killed in Pleasant Grove late Wednesday night.

Dallas police said the shooting happened around 11 p.m. as Tyrek Jenkins was walking home from a convenience store on Gardenside Drive. He was trying to get food for his girlfriend and their 2-month-old baby boy.

People in the area said they heard gunshots and looked outside to see Jenkins on the ground. He died a short time later at the hospital. So far, police don’t have a motive for the shooting or a description of the suspect.

Jenkins had just started working at Amazon as an assembly line worker and stocker. He was trying to move to an apartment with his girlfriend and son and had become focused on his love for God.

His family shared a recent message Jenkins had sent to his older brother about the Bible and the Book of Revelation. It said, “I prayed and repent and ask the Lord to forgive my sins and to heal my soul cause (the end) it’s coming sooner than we think bro, real soon."

Reverend Ronald Wright is a vocal community advocate with the group Justice Seekers. He helped raise Jenkins and considered him his grandson.

"We've got to stop this crime within our own communities,” the reverend said. “You say, ‘Black Lives Matter?’ All lives matter. Charity starts at home. We got to stop the mess that’s going on in our communities and then we’ll be able to deal with other issues.”

Yeneka Younger is distraught as she tries to cope with the loss of her son, Jenkins.

“If you know something, please say something,” she pleaded. “It’s my son. Tomorrow, it could be your son, your brother, your dad or your mom.”

Jenkins’ family hopes someone from the community will come forward with information about his killer.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $5,000 reward for tips that can lead to an arrest and indictment. Tipsters should call 214-373-TIPS or contact Dallas Police Department homicide detectives at 214-671-3627.