Man faces capital murder charge after friend’s slaying at northeast Dallas apartment

A man is in custody after the slaying of a 22-year-old at his northeast Dallas apartment last week.

James Williams Davis, 20, of Balch Springs was booked into the Dallas County jail Saturday on a charge of capital murder in connection with the death of Emilio Paez.

Police were called about 2:40 a.m. Friday to Paez’s unit at the CityScape Apartments in the 6400 block of Ridgecrest Road near the intersection of Skillman Street and Abrams Road. His front door was kicked in, and Paez was lying on the kitchen floor with multiple gunshot wounds.

He was taken to Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas, where he was pronounced dead.

According to an arrest-warrant affidavit, Davis and three accomplices went to Paez’s apartment to rob him about half an hour before police arrived. Davis and Paez were friends, police said.

After they kicked in the door, Paez opened fire but did not hit anyone, police said. One of the robbers shot back, striking Paez, and they took cash from the apartment before fleeing.

Davis initially told Paez’s family and police that he had witnessed the shooting, but later admitted to officers that he in fact set up the robbery, the affidavit says. Surveillance footage from the apartment complex shows Davis and his vehicle before and after the shooting, police said.

Davis remained in custody Monday, with bail set at $500,000. No attorney was listed for him in court records. His only apparent previous criminal history was a marijuana possession charge that was dismissed after he completed probation.

Police have not said whether anyone else has been arrested in connection with the slaying.

Anyone with information about the case may contact Detective Jeffrey Loeb at 214-671-3602 or jeffrey.loeb@dallascityhall.com and refer to case No. 044354-2020.

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest and indictment in this case. To make an anonymous tip, call 214-373-8477.