Dallas, TX
Man who recently tried to enter Dallas church with rifle facing federal weapons charge
A man who recently attempted to enter a Dallas church with a tactical rifle was charged with a federal firearm crime stemming from a 2022 shooting, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the North District of Texas announced.
Russell Alan Ragsdale, 25, was arrested Friday and made his initial appearance Monday on a possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance charge.
On Nov. 2, a church reported to Dallas police that Ragsdale was at the location with a gun, according to federal court documents. The church was not named in the filing.
Based on surveillance footage and witness interviews, officers determined Ragsdale arrived at the church about 5 p.m. while Mass was being celebrated with about 100 church members, according to an affidavit. He entered about 5:05 p.m.
“At 5:07 p.m., [Ragsdale] stood from his front row seat and approached the priest, embraced him and kissed him on both cheeks,” the affidavit says. Ragsdale “handed the priest a note that said, ‘May peace be with you.’”
Ragsdale remained in the church for about five more minutes before returning to his car. He put on a black and white poncho, retrieved a rifle from the trunk of the car, and then closed the three gates to the church parking lot, according to the affidavit. Ragsdale tried to reenter the church with the gun about 5:35 p.m., but parishioners had locked the doors.
A parishioner talked to Ragsdale outside after he placed the rifle on the ground. Officers arrived a few minutes later and arrested him.
The arresting officer noted “an odor of alcohol” coming from Ragsdale, the affidavit says.
During this investigation, police learned Ragsdale had been arrested two years ago as a suspect in a Seagoville slaying. He had faced a felony murder charge in the February 2022 killing of his roommate, but the case was later dismissed.
At the time, Ragsdale told police his roommate attacked him so he “shot him many times” in self-defense, according to court documents.
“Officers recovered three firearms, including a 10mm Glock and an AR-15 rifle, and almost two grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms from the residence,” the news release said. ” An analysis of Mr. Ragsdale’s phone showed a history of drug use dating back to November 2021, as well as evidence of purchasing and using hallucinogenic mushrooms on Feb. 2, 2022.”
Pursuant to a search warrant issued, earlier this month Dallas police received copies of information, including messages, from Ragsdale’s phone that indicated he used illegal drugs leading up to the February homicide, according to court documents.
If convicted, Ragsdale faces up to 15 years in prison.
Dallas, TX
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Dallas, TX
Trackdown: Dallas 7-Eleven robbery suspect wanted
DALLAS – Dallas police need a name for a dangerous robber who pulled a gun on a 7-Eleven clerk and walked out with the cash register drawer.
He was caught on camera. But it’s been six months, and he’s still at large.
7-Eleven Robberies
What we know:
The robbery in question happened on Jan. 13 around 10:30 p.m. at the store at 302 North Marsalis Avenue.
A Black male who is about 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 170 to 180 pounds walked in and waited until no other customers were inside.
“After it’s empty, he displays a handgun and points it at the cashier,” said Det. Eduardo Lopez Villa. “I don’t know what he said. He just demanded the cash from the cash register.”
Det. Villa said the suspect took the whole cash register drawer before fleeing eastbound on foot on 8th Street.
What you can do:
The detective believes anyone who knows the suspect will be able to recognize him.
“Yes, most definitely based on the video and the screenshot. If you know him, you’ll recognize him,” he said.
Tipsters can call or text Det. Villa at 469-755-8445.
“I need his information so I can talk to him about this incident,” he said.
FOX 4’s Trackdown
You can watch Shaun Rabb’s Trackdown series every Wednesday on FOX 4. Episodes are also posted weekly online, on YouTube and on FOX Local.
FOX 4 viewers have now helped to make 220 arrests.
The Source: The information in this story comes from Dallas Police Det. Eduardo Lopez Villa.
Dallas, TX
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