What started out as a social media beef between two Texas rappers ended in the death of a 9-year-old girl.
Tyrese Simmons, 19, had allegedly gotten into a fight with the other rapper, who was not identified by police, and returned to shoot at a house he allegedly thought was his rival's, but was actually the home of little Brandoniya Bennett.
Dallas police said Simmons shot through the front door of 9-year-old's home on Wednesday, hitting her in the head. He then allegedly fled the scene.
“Both parties recorded rap songs and they dissed each other. That was the impetus that resulted in a homicide of a 9-year-old girl," Maj. Danny Williams said at a press conference.
Brandoniya was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The intended target's apartment is reportedly next door to Brandoniya's.
"She was sitting in her house. She felt safe. She was 9 years old. She would've started school today," Williams said. "Those are the people that don't think about safety because — as adults, as parents, as police officers — we're supposed to make them safe. As community leaders, we're supposed to make them safe."
On Thursday, Simmons was arrested by police after a manhunt and charged with capital murder.
Police are still investigating the slaying. Simmons is being held on $500,000 bond.
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