Dallas police arrested two juveniles under the age of 16 and charged them with capital murder after a July 8 shooting that left two teenagers dead, authorities said. Officers responded about 9:30 p.m. to the 3400 block of Michigan Avenue and found two people shot. Both victims later died despite efforts by Dallas Fire-Rescue.
Who was killed and who is charged
The victims were identified by family members and police as 18-year-old Ulises Marcos Ledesma and 19-year-old Janelle Elizabeth Bello. According to Ledesma’s family, the two were in a dating relationship.
Police said two juveniles, ages 14 and 15, were identified as suspects and have been taken into custody at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center. Because of their ages, their names will not be released.
"Two juveniles under the age of 16 are facing capital murder charges,"
Legal consequences and next steps
Under Texas law, juveniles convicted of capital murder cannot be sentenced to death or to life imprisonment without parole. If the state seeks to certify either juvenile to stand trial in adult court and succeeds, the mandatory sentence upon a conviction would be life with the possibility of parole after 40 years. If not certified, a juvenile convicted in the juvenile system would serve a determinate sentence in the custody of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department; between ages 16 and 19 that person may be transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to complete the sentence or be released on parole, depending on the ruling.
- Date of incident: July 8, about 9:30 p.m.
- Location: 3400 block of Michigan Avenue, Dallas
- Victims: Ulises Marcos Ledesma, 18; Janelle Elizabeth Bello, 19
- Suspects: Two juveniles, ages 14 and 15, in custody
Investigation status and community stakes
Dallas police said the investigation is ongoing and have not disclosed how they identified the juveniles as suspects or whether there was a prior relationship between suspects and victims beyond the victims’ identified relationship with each other. The arrests and the nature of the charges raise questions for Dallas County officials about how and when prosecutors will seek certification to try juveniles as adults — a decision that affects sentencing exposure and the procedural path of the case.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Custody location | Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center |
| Possible adult sentence if certified | Life with parole eligibility after 40 years |
| Names released? | No, not released due to suspects' ages |
As the case moves forward, prosecutors, juvenile court officials and community members will be watching how Dallas handles serious crimes involving young suspects — and whether the county seeks transfer to adult court, a decision with lasting consequences for both victims’ families and the accused.
