The Dallas Police Department (DPD) issued a statement announcing the Austin Shuffield will now face additional charges, including a second-degree felony assault charge.
The DPD’s Crimes Against Persons Division has now filed an additional charge of Unlawfully Carrying of a Weapon and a charge of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, which is a second-degree felony. The next step is for the Dallas District Attorney’s Office to present the case to the Grand Jury.
The March 21 incident was captured on cellphone video by witnesses, showing Shuffield knocking a phone out of the hand of L’Daijohnique Lee and then punching her several times. The two were arguing regarding Lee, who has stated she was lost, was blocking the exit to a parking lot. At the time Shuffield was arrested for Public Intoxication, Interference with an Emergency Call and Assault. Each of these offenses are a Class “A” Misdemeanor except for the Public Intoxication charge which is a Class “C” Misdemeanor.
The original charges resulted in several protests in the Deep Ellum area as many felt his actions warranted a more serious charge. Sheffield, a bartender at High and Tight bar, posted bail and was released overnight. Although he was not working at the time of the event, he was terminated by his employer the next day. However, due to protests and reportedly receiving death threats, the bar was temporarily closed over the weekend, reopening on Monday.
Ed Gray, NDG’s Senior Columnist, recently wrote an open letter to Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. The mayor issued a statement on the matter, as did Mayor Pro Tem Casey Thomas.
