ARLINGTON, Texas — A 19-year-old who had previously survived a high school shooting in North Texas was fatally shot this Monday in what authorities are describing as an unrelated incident. Zacchaeus Selby-Mukum, a former victim of the 2021 Timberview High School shooting, succumbed to injuries after being found with a gunshot wound in Arlington.
Authorities responded to emergency calls at around 5:50 p.m. on Monday. Upon arrival at an apartment complex on the 2400 block of Laurelwood Drive, Arlington police discovered Selby-Mukum injured in the parking lot. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The Arlington Police Department confirmed Selby-Mukum as one of the students injured in a previous violent episode at Timberview High School, which had left the community in shock. The incident four years ago resulted in serious injuries to three students and led to the conviction of the shooter, Timothy Simpkins, who is currently serving a 12-year sentence.
Investigations into Monday’s fatal shooting are ongoing, with detectives probing the circumstances leading up to the incident. Preliminary reports indicate there may have been an altercation prior to the shooting. However, officials have yet to identify any suspects or make arrests in connection with the death of Selby-Mukum.
As investigators delve deeper, they have not dismissed the possibility of the involvement of “high-risk activity,” although the specifics of this have not been elaborated upon. The sequence of events remains unclear, and law enforcement is urging anyone with information to come forward to assist with the investigation.
The community, still reeling from the school shooting years earlier, is confronted once again with violence affecting its youth. Local leaders and residents have expressed distress and concern over this recurring violence and its long-term impact on the community’s sense of safety and wellbeing.
This incident has prompted discussions about the effectiveness of interventions and support for young individuals affected by trauma, particularly those involved in past violent episodes. Community advocates are calling for increased mental health support and preventative measures to hinder the cycle of violence that appears to persist in affected communities.
As the investigation progresses, the Arlington community holds its breath for answers, hoping for closure and measures that will prevent such tragedies in the future. Meanwhile, Selby-Mukum’s family and friends mourn a life cut tragically short, a stark reminder of the enduring scars left by episodes of public violence on individuals and communities alike.