The Odessa Police Department is investigating a northeast Odessa Sunday night shooting that left a 20-year-old man dead after police say he forced his way inside of an apartment.
OPD officials reported they were initially called by Zane Womack, 25, about a gunshot victim at the Sunset Lodge Apartments, 7701 Highway 191, the release stated.
When police arrived at the apartment, they found the victim, Jerrod Dement, dead from multiple gunshot wounds, an OPD press release stated.
Officers interviewed Womack, the release stated, who told police he woke up to the sounds of an unknown man, later identified as Dement, banging at his door. Womack told police Dement banged on the door and then forced his way into the apartment before Womack shot him multiple times.
“I’m dying inside. I’m broken I’m insane. I’ve lost my baby boy,” Dement’s mother, Karen Dement, wrote in a public Facebook post Sunday.
Dakota Estell, who called Dement her best friend, wrote in a Facebook post that Dement’s co-workers have given more than $2,000 to go toward his funeral.
“A lot of us here at work are so messed up over this and can’t even think straight,” Estell wrote. “I get to see you one last time but you won’t be there to hug or kiss me back. I’m far from ready to say my final goodbye to you.”
OPD said the investigation continues and no charges have been filed. Dement’s body is being sent to Tarrant County for an autopsy.
- Dakota Estell Facebook post.
- Karen Dement Facebook post.
