Two teenagers are now in custody following the fatal shooting of a 40-year-old man in Irving. The suspects have been identified as involved in the tragic incident that led to the death of Andez Manning.
The confrontation that resulted in Manning’s death stemmed from a dispute over a firearm allegedly taken from his stepson’s home. Reports indicate that last Thursday, Manning and his stepson tracked the teenagers to the Devon on Northgate apartments, where they confronted them.
A subsequent altercation took place off Esters Road, during which the teenagers reportedly opened fire on Manning and his stepson while they were in their vehicle. Manning returned fire but suffered a gunshot wound to the head. His stepson promptly drove him to a nearby Family Dollar store to seek assistance.
Manning’s family is mourning his loss and has voiced strong opposition to gun violence. His uncle, Charles Ahmad Mosley, expressed regret over Manning’s decision to confront the teenagers, suggesting that a call to their parents would have been more appropriate. He condemned the shooting, stating that the suspects should not have been in possession of firearms. “Put the guns down, man,” Mosley urged, highlighting the dangers of such confrontations.
The arrested teens include 17-year-old Zayne Ryder Townsend and another juvenile, both of whom were identified by Manning’s stepson. Initially, Townsend faced charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon due to Manning being placed on life support after the shooting. Following Manning’s death, it remains uncertain when the charges may be elevated to murder.
As the family grapples with their grief, Mosley also expressed sympathy for the young suspects, reflecting on his own past as a convicted felon who has since dedicated his life to mentoring others through his nonprofit, Taqwa Ministries. He lamented the current state of youth violence, contrasting it with his own upbringing where disputes were settled through fistfights.
Currently, Townsend has opted not to speak with detectives regarding the incident, as investigations continue into the events that led to this tragic outcome.
