Social media leads Dallas police to suspect in fatal shooting of 2-year-old
25-year-old Toderick Austin (Source: Dallas County Jail)
DALLAS - A 25-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting death of a toddler following an intensive multi-unit manhunt, Dallas police officials announced on Monday.
Child dies in Dallas shooting
What we know:
The investigation began on April 23, 2026, when officers responded to a shooting call in the 1700 block of Hemphill Drive at approximately 1:20 p.m.
Police found a 2-year-old child suffering from a gunshot wound; the child was transported to a local hospital where they later died.
That child has since been identified as Khy'ree McDonald.
2-year-old shot, killed in South Dallas
A 2-year-old child is dead after a shooting in South Dallas Thursday afternoon.
Dig deeper:
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the toddler found the gun in an unzipped backpack that belonged to 25-year-old Toderick Austin.
The court document states the boy was playing on the floor with his toys while his mom was sitting on the bed scrolling through social media and Austin was brushing his teeth. Others in the home were asleep. They all jumped to action after hearing a gunshot.
The boy's mother and others in the home called 911. They said Austin fled once he heard sirens, saying, "I'm fixing to go, I'm fixing to go. I'm sorry. I'm going to jail," according to the affidavit.
The Dallas Police Department’s Child Abuse Unit, working alongside the Violent Crimes, Safer Streets, and Fugitive Task Force units, launched a coordinated search for Austin. Investigators eventually secured a breakthrough by tracking his social media accounts, which led them to a known associate, 18-year-old Jayveion Burnley.
After determining Burnley’s location, police executed a search warrant and took both men into custody. Officers also recovered several firearms and illegal narcotics at the scene.
18-year-old Jayveion Burnley (Source: Dallas County Jail)
What they're saying:
"This was a tremendously heartbreaking case that deeply affected the community of Dallas," Chief Daniel Comeaux said in a statement. "I'm incredibly thankful that this department was not only able to bring justice and closure to this incident but also make our streets safer by recovering firearms."
What's next:
Austin faces multiple charges, including making a firearm accessible to a child resulting in death or serious bodily injury, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. His bond was set at $50,000.
Burnley is charged with possession of prohibited weapons. His bond was set at $10,000.
The firearm had been reported stolen in April during a vehicle burglary.
The Source: Information in this article is from the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas County Jail.