Capital murder charges dropped in death of 14-year-old shot outside of South Dallas home, officials say

DALLAS — Charges have been dropped in the case of a 14-year-old who was shot and killed in September, officials said. 

Manuel Edwards was shot and killed just after 1 a.m. on Sept. 25, 2022, steps away from his home in South Dallas, on Al Lipscomb Way near Fair Park. Police said Edwards was in a vacant lot with multiple gunshot wounds. He died at the hospital. 

Edwards was a seventh-grader at Billy Earl Dade Middle School, according to his family. 

Three young men were arrested and charged with capital murder in connection to Edwards’ death, but on Feb. 22, 2023, the Dallas Police Department said charges were dropped after the District Attorney’s Office said there was insufficient evidence for an indictment. 

Edwards’ mother, Cynthia, met WFAA reporter Matt Howerton in the vacant lot where her son died on Wednesday. 

The young man was Edwards’ only child and called him her ‘miracle baby’ because the mother almost died during childbirth. 

“He was right here when he died,” Edwards said. “I saw the ambulance and paramedics doing CPR on him right here.” 

Edwards maintains a memorial at the site where her son was shot. While there, she told WFAA she was devastated when detectives told her the news. 

“Only thing I ever wanted was justice for him. I was on my way there and now I have to wait for justice,” Edwards said. 

“It’s a pain that I can’t describe,” she added. 

Edwards told WFAA that anonymous tips fueled her son’s case and helped lead to the three arrests. 

However, any prosecutor will tell you that tips alone won’t withstand something as serious as a capital murder trial. 

Police are now back to square one when it comes to building the case. 

“I just need help right now, my son was just 14 years old,” Edwards said. 

Edwards begged the public to come forward with any tips or information that might lead to an arrest or conviction in her son’s case. She even asked those who once tipped off investigators to come forward and put a name to their info. 

The investigation was still ongoing and no other details about other possible suspects were released.