Detective John Valdez With Dallas Police Department Solves & Makes Arrest In A 2014 Homicide

On Monday, April 7, 2014, Dallas police responded to a shooting call at 3534 Western Park Drive.  Officers found the victims Ammy Soumphonphakdy, a 50-year old Asian female, and Debbie Thammavongsa, an 18-year old Asian female, inside the residence.  All the victims were shot one time in the head.  Victim Thammayongsa was transported to an area hospital where she died from her injuries. A third victim was also shot in the head and was transported to an area hospital and survived.

During the initial investigation, it was determined that two males in their 20’s, driving a red Dodge Challenger, we’re seeing arguing with an older Asian female.  A witness reported one of the males drove away from the alley in a red Challenger.  All the witnesses reported seeing the red Challenger within 30 minutes of Dallas police officers arriving at the scene.  The investigation halted for lack of evidence, and all actional leads had been exhausted. 

In November 2018, Homicide Detective John Valdez, #7298, was contacted by a city of Dallas employee and friends of the family and asked about the investigation’s status and if it could be looked into.  Detective Valdez was assigned the case for review and followed up on the existing evidence.

On Thursday, April 23, 2020, Detective Valdez was able to identify the suspect, Christopher Joseph Gonzalez, a 28-year old Latin male, who participated in this offense.  On Friday, October 2, 2020, suspect Gonzalez was arrested at his residence in Baytown, Texas, by the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force.  Detective John Valdez met with the suspect at the Chambers County Jail and charged suspect Gonzalez with Capital Murder.