Gunman Possibly Targeting Asian-Owned Businesses in Dallas, Police Say

Dallas police say the investigation into a shooting that injured three people at a hair salon in NW Dallas on Wednesday may be related to other shootings directed toward area Asian-owned businesses.

Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said Friday afternoon the gunman in the shooting may have also targeted Asian-owned businesses in Dallas on at least two other occasions.

"Due to the continued investigation, consistent review of offense reports made by our crime analysis unit, our team was able to review the data and concluded three recent shootings of Asian-run businesses may be connected," Garcia said.

Garcia said someone drove by a strip shopping center at 2208 Royal Lane at about 11:13 a.m. on April 2 and fired shots at three businesses that were Asian-owned. More than a month later, on May 10, someone drove by other Asian-owned businesses at 4849 Sunnyvale Street and fired shots at the buildings. Three people were in the back part of the business and were not injured.

In both cases, the shots reportedly came from a dark-colored or maroon or red minivan. No injuries were reported in either of the first two cases.

On Wednesday, May 11, three people were hurt in a shooting at the Asian-owned Hair World Salon on Royal Lane when a man got out of a dark-colored or maroon minivan, entered the salon and started shooting.

Garcia said the department was working with the FBI, the North Texas Terrorism Task Force and other agencies in investigating the shootings as well as talking with neighboring communities to see if there are similar reports.

The chief added the department is asking, "every resident in the city of Dallas to keep an eye out and safeguard our city -- hate has no place here -- and to assist us in identifying any possible suspects. If you see something, say something."

Police have not named any suspects in the shootings or identified a motive. Only a vague description of the man was provided by police after Wednesday's shooting.

3 HURT IN SHOOTING AT DALLAS HAIR SALON

Police said Wednesday, May 11, a man stopped his vehicle at about 2:22 p.m. on the 2200 block of Royal Lane, got out and walked across the shopping center parking lot and entered the Hair World Salon.

Once he was inside, police said the man shouted something unintelligible and began shooting.

There were four people inside, three were shot including two employees and a customer, according to police.

After the shooting, the man left the business, returned to his vehicle and left the scene.

The three people injured suffered injuries not considered life-threatening.

Out of an abundance of caution, Chief Garcia said his department has asked for assistance from the FBI and member agencies of the joint terrorism task force. He said they're also working with north Texas police partners to see if it's happening in their jurisdictions.

To safeguard the community, Chief Garcia said his department will be utilizing camera trailers in certain areas and every patrol station has been advised to increase visibility patrols in the areas of Asian communities.

John Jun with the Korean American Coalition DFW says they're added patrols are a good sign, and hopes an arrest is made soon.

"The community is very concerned and on the edge and very nervous about what’s happening right now," Jun said.

Businesses owners are taking precautions, too.

Jun and Jonas Park with the Korean Society of Dallas told NBC 5 some businesses are keeping doors locked to avoid being easy targets.

"People are afraid. Even eating, they are looking around and even a business I dropped by, they were closed, because they’re run by old ladies," Park said.

A Korean American safety town hall meeting is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. at the Korean Cultural Center in Dallas.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson released a statement Friday saying the city stands with the Asian American community.

"Hate has no place in our city," he said.