Homicide Investigation - Report #2026-00850044
Published on July 27, 2026
By Arlington Police Department
The Arlington Police Department has made a second arrest in connection to the March 2026 shooting death of 20-year-old Malachi Hayes.
After conducting additional follow-up investigation on the case, Homicide detectives obtained a warrant for the arrest of 20-year-old Dion McGriff-Brown on one count of Capital Murder. On July 23, 2026, members of the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force located Mr. McGriff-Brown in Dallas and took him into custody without incident.
20-year-old Aleq Holmes was arrested in June 2026 in connection to the shooting and was also charged with Capital Murder.
On March 26, 2026, Mr. Hayes was shot multiple times in the parking lot of a convenience store along E. Abram Street. He was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
Nearby surveillance cameras captured the shooting. The footage shows Mr. Hayes walking up to a parked vehicle and presenting an item for the driver to see. The driver then attempts to grab the item and a physical struggle ensues. A short time later, shots are fired and Mr. Hayes is seen falling to the ground as he tries to get away. Shots continue to be fired from the vehicle as he was falling. The vehicle then speeds away from the scene.
Detectives obtained cell phone records that showed Mr. Hayes arranged to sell or trade a handgun with an individual he had been messaging via a social media app. That individual was identified as Mr. Holmes. The two men agreed to meet outside the convenience store to make the transaction.
Based on witness statements and additional evidence, detectives believe Mr. McGriff-Brown rode with Mr. Holmes to the transaction, and the two of them intended to rob Mr. Hayes. Cell phone records placed Mr. McGriff-Brown at both the murder scene and the address where the vehicle was later recovered by detectives.
Both men are currently being held at the Tarrant County Jail.
ORIGINAL RELEASE
The Arlington Police Department has made an arrest in connection to the March 2026 shooting death of 20-year-old Malachi Hayes.
Following a thorough investigation, Homicide detectives obtained a warrant for the arrest of 20-year-old Aleq Holmes on one count of Capital Murder. On June 4, 2026, members of the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force located Mr. Holmes in Grand Prairie and took him into custody without incident.
On March 26, 2026, at approximately 1:24 a.m., officers responded to a convenience store in the 2100 block of E. Abram Street to investigate a shooting. When they arrived, they located Mr. Hayes lying unresponsive in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds. Mr. Hayes was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
After reviewing digital evidence and speaking with witnesses, detectives identified Mr. Holmes as a suspect in the shooting. Based on their investigation, they believe Mr. Hayes and Mr. Holmes may have been engaging in high-risk activity involving a firearm transaction when the shooting occurred.
The investigation remains ongoing. Additional arrests are possible pending the outcome of the investigation.
Mr. Holmes declined to speak to investigators following his arrest.