On May 20, 2023, at about 1 a.m. Dallas police responded to a shooting on South Malcolm X Boulevard. Keerstin Cooper, 26, had been driven to a hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds and died shortly after arrival.

Police say the shooting followed a verbal altercation between Cooper and 26-year-old Breaira Martin. The dispute reportedly stemmed from Martin’s anger over Cooper’s past relationship with Martin’s then-current boyfriend, 27-year-old Gabriel Leuyas. Investigators allege Martin told Leuyas to "smoke" Cooper; Leuyas then produced a semi-automatic handgun and fired two shots through Cooper’s windshield, striking her. A third person drove Cooper to the hospital.

Authorities identified Martin and Leuyas as primary suspects via surveillance footage, gang records, social media and police body camera footage after an anonymous tip. Both were arrested and charged with murder; Leuyas also faced an unlawful carrying of a weapon charge and Martin was charged with resisting arrest. Anyone with information about Keerstin Cooper or this incident is asked to come forward.