On January 20, 2023, Galveston police responded to reports of gunfire in the 900 block of 39th Street and found 25-year-old Malik Dunn with multiple gunshot wounds in the 3900 block of Sealy. Dunn was taken to The University of Texas Medical Branch, where he was pronounced dead despite officers’ life-saving efforts.

Authorities identified 17-year-old Galveston resident Cameron Vargas as a suspect and arrested him on January 23, charging him with murder and setting bond at $250,000. By January 25 the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office dismissed the charges, saying further investigation was needed and that new evidence contradicted the initial basis for the arrest.

A pre-dawn SWAT raid on January 22 at a residence in the 5300 block of Avenue O — conducted to find Vargas — hit the wrong house, damaged property and traumatized the family inside; Vargas was not there. The mishandled raid and the premature arrest prompted public outcry, legal action by the family, a 10-day administrative leave for Police Chief Doug Balli, and multiple city probes into department actions and communications.

Who has information that could help identify who killed Malik Dunn?