The Brief
LaTaivia Davis, an Everman ISD teacher’s aide, was killed Thursday morning in a road rage shooting while traveling eastbound on I-20 in Fort Worth near the Hulen Mall.
Police arrested 37-year-old Patrick Lawrence late on Thursday in connection to the shooting. He has been charged with murder.
All eastbound lanes of I-20 near Granbury Road remain closed for investigation, causing major delays and traffic diversions.
FORT WORTH, Texas – A woman who works for the Everman Independent School District was killed in a road rage shooting on Interstate 20 in Fort Worth on Thursday morning.
Fort Worth Road Rage Shooting
A woman is dead following a road rage shooting on I-20 on Thursday morning.
What we know
The deadly shooting happened around 6:30 a.m. in the 3700 block of I-20, which is just past the Hulen Mall near Benbrook.
According to Fort Worth police, witnesses told officers that the victim and the suspect were both traveling eastbound on the interstate and were involved in an apparent road rage incident.
I-20 near Granbury Road remains shut down for an investigation
“The suspect pulled up to the victim and fired some shots and struck the victim,” said Officer Cynthia Wood, a spokeswoman for the department.
The suspect fled the scene. The woman did not survive the shooting.
FOX 4’s cameras captured video of more than a dozen police cadets helping to look for evidence on the highway Thursday morning.
Police form a line on I-20 to search for evidence related to the shooting.
Shooting suspect arrested
Fort Worth Police announced late on Thursday that 37-year-old Patrick Lawrence had been arrested in connection to the I-20 road rage shooting.
He has been charged with murder.
Records show Lawrence has prior misdemeanor drug and assault charges in Tarrant County.
Patrick Lawrence, 37 (CTSY: Fort Worth Police Department)
What they’re saying
FOX 4 has learned that the victim is LaTaivia Davis, an Everman ISD teacher’s aide. Everman ISD’s website states she worked at E. Ray Elementary School.
In response to questions, the school district shared the following statement.
“Everman ISD is deeply saddened by the passing of a valued member of our staff. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the employee’s family, loved ones, colleagues, students, and all those impacted by this loss,” Everman ISD said.
The district said counselors and support resources would be made available to her students and fellow staff members.
I-20 Eastbound Closed
All eastbound lanes of I-20 near the Granbury Road interchange and Hulen Mall area were shut down for most of the morning because of the police investigation.
Traffic in the area was completely halted, and officials urged drivers traveling from Benbrook and surrounding neighborhoods to seek alternative routes.
The interstate has since reopened.
Local perspective
“I was in shock.”
Lee Diaz lives across the street from E. Ray Elementary School where LaTaivia Davis worked.
Diaz says he frequently tells his children to do whatever they can to avoid road rage.
“Best thing to do, ignore it. It can’t be that big of a deal,” Diaz told FOX 4’s David Sentendrey. “Just let it go. Move on.”
The Source
Information in this article is from the Fort Worth Police Department and the FOX 4 traffic center.