The Arlington Police Department has made two arrests in connection to the November 21, 2022 shooting death of 21-year-old Juan Jaime Merino, who was found deceased inside a vehicle that was parked along the 3500 block of Brookhurst Lane.

20-year-old Bryce Oliver and a teenage male have been charged with Capital Murder in the case. Because the second suspect is a juvenile, the department is unable to release his name.

Detectives believe the two suspects arranged to meet with Mr. Merino to purchase marijuana from him, but then robbed and shot him during the exchange. It does not appear Mr. Merino knew the two suspects prior to this incident.

Mr. Oliver is currently being held at the Tarrant County Jail. The juvenile suspect is currently being held at the Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center.

ORIGINAL RELEASE

 On Monday, November 21, 2022, at approximately 9:36 a.m., the Arlington Police Department responded to the 1900 block of Rutherford Lane to investigate what was initially reported as a single-vehicle wreck. When officers arrived in the neighborhood, they did not locate any vehicles that had been involved in an accident.

They did, however, notice a Kia Rio that was parked nearby along Brookhurst Lane. The car was running and multiple doors were left wide open.

As the officers approached the car, they saw a man in his early 20’s in the driver’s seat slumped over the steering wheel. After closer examination, they discovered he’d been shot. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Based on their investigation, detectives believe two passengers were in the car with the victim when it pulled up to the location. A short time later, the victim was shot and the two passengers ran from the scene.

No arrests have been made. Investigators are working to identify the suspects. Detectives have not ruled out the possibility that the victim and suspects were engaging in high-risk activity when the shooting occurred.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. VanTreeck at (817) 459-5691. Tipsters can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County at (817) 469-8477.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s will identify the deceased once next of kin have been notified.