Richardson police have dropped charges against three teenagers previously arrested in connection with a March shooting at a Waffle House that left a local high school student paralyzed, authorities said.
Taylor Griffin, 18, and Charles Webster, 17, had been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity following their March 26 arrests. A third suspect, a juvenile, faced a deadly conduct charge. All three charges have now been dismissed, according to the Richardson Police Department.
The department attributed the decision to “the development of additional information during the course of the investigation,” Fox 4 KDFW reported, adding that none of the three suspects arrested is believed to be the shooter.
The March 19 Shooting
The gunfire erupted in the parking lot of a Waffle House on Spring Valley Road, where 18-year-old Seth Jackson, a Richardson High School student, was struck and left paralyzed from the waist down.
The crowd at the restaurant swelled to between 50 and 100 people after Dallas police broke up what was described as a “twerk pajama party” in Dallas earlier that night.
According to records, an argument escalated when Griffin and Webster began punching other people. After Webster threw a punch, multiple individuals drew firearms and opened fire. Court documents state Jackson was shot while trying to help a friend. Videos of the incident sent to Fox 4 show Jackson was not close to the shooter.
Griffin admitted to police that he threw a punch and identified Webster, his cousin, to investigators. Griffin’s mother told Fox 4 in March that neither teen fired a weapon during the incident.
Search for a Shooter Continues
No suspect has been identified or arrested as the shooter. Richardson police say detectives have continued to interview witnesses but have not gathered sufficient evidence to file charges.
In March, investigators released photos of five persons of interest and asked the public for help identifying them. Police believe students from Richardson ISD, Anna ISD, and possibly other districts were involved. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richardson Police Department at (972) 744-4893.
Jackson’s father told Fox 4 in March that his son had planned to attend the University of Houston in fall 2026 and that the family was working to make their home ADA compliant.
A GoFundMe account for the Jackson family has raised over $100,000 to help with medical bills and living expenses.
Provided by Dallas Express
