DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) –
UPDATE: January 26, 2017 – Dallas police have released new photos of the two men suspected of attacking a local theater director. The photos were captured from Cityplace Station — the DART station closest to the Target where the assault took place.
If you recognize these individuals, Dallas police encourage you to give them a call
January 17, 2016 — Dallas police released surveillance photos of the two suspects in a brutal attack on a local theater director and are asking for the community’s help in finding them.
Deputy Chief Thomas Castro said Tuesday morning at a news conference they are offering $5,000 via Crime Stoppers for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the two men pictured.
Investigators say the two masked men beat 33-year-old Derek Whitener with a wooden object in the parking lot of a Target in Uptown Dallas. Castro says Whitener noticed the men acting suspicious and following him as he entered the Target, where he then reported them to a security guard inside the store.
If anyone has any information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective Hubner in the Assaults Unit at (214) 671-3639
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) January 17, 2017
Castro says the security guard then called a Dallas Police officer, who approached the two suspects and asked them to leave the store parking lot. They eventually came back and assaulted Whitener after he exited the store around 11:05 pm.
“These two individuals were spotted on security surveillance trying to lift handles on vehicles in the parking lot,” Castro said. “I don’t know if they were looking for property, a victim, or crime of opportunity.”
Castro did say there’s “no indication it’s a hate crime,” but that the men made a threatening statement to Whiteley before assaulting him. Whiteley is currently recovering in the Intensive Care Unit at Baylor Medical Center after sustaining severe injuries.
A GoFundMe Account has been set up to help pay Whitener’s medical bills has raised more than $47,000.
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