Police say investigation is ongoing but decline to discuss details
David-Zaragoza, left, and Travis-Vanderlaan, right
DAVID TAFFET | Staff Writer
taffet@dallasvoice.com
David Zaragoza and Travis Vanderlaan were shot during a robbery near their Dallas Farmer’s Market-area apartment at about 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18.
One of the victims was shot in the head and the other in the neck. Both are improving and expected to survive.
Two suspects were taken into custody soon after the incident.
According to friends, Zaragoza and Vanderlaan are a couple. The two live at the Camden Farmer’s Market apartments in Downtown Dallas.
Police are releasing very little information about the shootings or the arrests.
“We don’t want to jeopardize the investigation,” said LGBT police liaison Laura Martin.
The names of the suspects arrested are being withheld by police, Martin said. Although she said that was unusual, she said it was because of the ongoing investigation.
She could not confirm if police are looking for additional suspects.
According to Dallas County jail records, however, one of the people taken into custody is Kyle Bibbs, 31, of Carrollton. He is being held in Lew
Sterrett on $100,000 bond for two counts of aggravated robbery.
Police would give no details about the robbery beyond what went into the police reports.
“The complainant was shot during the course of an aggravated robbery,” said the police report. “Complainant was shot twice and robbed.”
The report also indicates that a blue Puma messenger bag containing $3,500 was taken during the robbery but recovered, apparently by police when they arrested the suspects.
Records from 9-1-1 indicate Vanderlaan called for help at 2:46 p.m. on Friday, reporting it as a shooting and robbery. Police were dispatched at 2:47 p.m.
Bibbs’ time of arrest is also listed as 2:47 p.m.
Bibbs has had several prior charges. One case was no billed by the grand jury. One was dismissed. In February, he agreed to plead guilty on a possession of marijuana charge. Dallas County records indicate he had probation revoked for possession of marijuana and possession of a prohibited weapon.
The incident is not being investigated as a random shooting.
Zaragoza is listed on police records making two calls to 9-1-1 earlier this year. No details appear on the reports but the signal codes indicate that one was to report a major disturbance and the other a burglary.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition November 25, 2011.
Who carries around $3,500 in cash. This sounds suspicious in itself!!! Was this drug related?
I would guess so…of course, the Voice wouldn’t deign to report that…because well, they’re a “gay couple” who just happened to be carrying around $3500 in a duffle bag…and were robbed by someone they allegedly knew…I mean everyone knows why they were robbed and shot…drugs kill but the gay “culture” wants to ignore that
What does it matter? They didn’t deserve to be robbed and shot whether they were buying drugs, buying a cash car, keeping money from an account. What does it really matter? Heartless people.
Brett, wow dude
But really does it matter? Do all gays do drugs? Do you know that for a fact, or you just guessing?
We only report information confirmed by police, not rumors. An investigation is underway and we will continue to follow the story.
K Horn and Brett’s comments are typical of hate-filled, homophobic propoganda. Shame! Always have to blame the victim, don’t we? After all (they say), Matthew Shepard DESERVED what happened to him, because (a) he was hitting on those poor, innocent straight boys, or (b) it was a drug deal gone wrong, or (c) it was a robbery gone wrong. So freaking typical! It disgusts me.