Julian Esparza

Arrests Made in Mesquite Double Murder

Two men were arrested for the murders of Jacob Hollett, 19, and Dalton Prater, 18

Two men face capital murder charges following fatal shootings last week in Mesquite that police believe were drug related.

Cassius Shakembe Williams, 20, and Rozman Rah-saan Shannon Jr., 21, each face two counts of capital murder, police said. The bonds for all four charges were set at $500,000 for each charge.

Police responded to reports of gunfire about 4 p.m. on June 12 in the area of Gus Thomasson Road and Whitson Way. Police found two gunshot victims who were later identified as Jacob Bradley Hollett, 19, of Mesquite and Dalton James Prater, 18, of Fate, police said.

Hollett was found in the driver's seat of a gray Nissan with several gunshot wounds, police said. He was hospitalized and died of his injuries.

Prater was found shot to death in the driver's seat of a red Dodge pickup truck, police said.

Investigators believe the shooting was the result of a drug robbery after the suspects met with the victims with the intention of buying marijuana from the victims, police said.

One suspect produced a handgun and demanded drugs, police said. It appears Hollett attempted to drive away, but was shot numerous times, police said.

Prater was sitting nearby in the red pickup truck and was then shot several times by a suspect, police said. The two suspects then drove away from the scene, police said.

Sources have confirmed to NBC 5 that Williams is the son of former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Erik Williams.

Contact Us