2 arrested after man’s body found behind Far East Dallas apartment complex

Two people were arrested on capital murder charges after a man’s body was found behind an apartment complex Sunday morning, Dallas police said.

Police responded to a call about a body behind an apartment complex in the 7200 block of Ferguson Road, near East R.L. Thornton Freeway, about 7 a.m. in Far East Dallas.

Authorities said the man, whose identity was not released, had been shot. Police also alleged that the man was not shot at the apartment complex.

Dairiyon Johnson, 26, and Karmeka Burks, 25, were arrested following an investigation. It was unclear whether they had attorneys.

Burks told investigators the man was killed after Johnson unsuccessfully tried to get him to withdraw money at various ATMs, police allege in arrest-warrant affidavits obtained Monday.

Police said someone called investigators after the slaying to report that a man was killed during a robbery and two people responsible were at a hotel, adding that a vehicle parked there had blood on it, the affidavits say. The car was registered to someone who matched the description of the man who was killed, police wrote in the affidavits.

Police took Burks and Johnson into custody after clearing out the rooms where the caller said the two people were staying, the affidavits say.

Burks told police she knew the man killed, adding that she and Johnson were with him earlier to go to an adult entertainment store, the affidavits say. She told investigators that Johnson directed Burks to drive the car while he got in the back seat with the man, and then told Burks to drive to different ATMs, the affidavits say.

Burks told investigators that the man pleaded for his life after he was unable to withdraw money, according to the affidavits. She told police she heard a gunshot, and then Johnson got in the driver’s seat and drove them to a site where he dumped the body, according to the affidavits. She said she and Johnson then went to the hotel.

A witness also told investigators Johnson and Burks knocked on his hotel door after 4 a.m. and both had blood on them, according to the affidavits. He said Johnson told him he made a mistake and tried to leave his gun with him, but the witness said he refused, the affidavits say.

Burks and Johnson remained Monday in the Dallas County jail. Johnson’s bail was set at $1 million on the capital murder charge. Burks’ bail amount hasn’t been set.

Anyone with information about the case may contact Detective Abel Lopez at abel.lopez@dallascityhall.com.