DALLAS – An officer with the Dallas Police Department was left blind after a gunman shot her in the face during a targeted, execution-style murder of another officer last month, according to reports.
Dallas Police Sr. Cpl. Karissa David was released on Sept. 19 from the hospital, where her family said she faces several months of outpatient care and additional surgery, WFAA reported.
“She has a big surgery back in the hospital next week on her jaw and teeth and various other specialist appointments scheduled,” the family said on GoFundMe.
“She is currently blind in both eyes and we ask for continued prayers for a miracle in that regards,” the family noted.
On August 29, David was critically wounded when Corey Cobb-Bey, 30, directed gunfire at her in the parking lot of the For Oak Cliff Community Campus. She had responded to the scene where the gunman shot and killed Officer Darron Burks as he sat stationary in his car between calls, according to DPD.
Officers were dispatched to the community center in the 900 block of East Ledbetter Drive after receiving an “unusual transmission from Officer Burks’ radio” just after 10 p.m., police said.
The first unit to arrive on scene was Sr. Cpl. Jamie Farmer who was immediately met with gunfire from Cobb-Bey. DPD said the gunman was armed with the 9mm handgun, a .22-caliber handgun and two shotguns.
Farmer returned fire but was also struck in the leg. Cobb-Bey also fired toward David’s car, which was stopped at the entrance of the lot.
She exited her patrol vehicle and returned fire, but was struck in the face during the gun battle.
Cobb-Bey then led officers on a chase while the three wounded officers were transported to a hospital. Burks was pronounced dead and David was in critical condition. Farmer was treated for gunshot wounds and later released.
Meanwhile, police pursued Cobb-Bey and he subsequently died in a shooting with law enforcement officers as he failed to drop a firearm and surrender.
In the immediate aftermath, Deputy Police Chief William Griffith said the investigation revealed the attack was “premeditated” once detectives obtained evidence on social media.
Chief Eddie Garcia was a little more blunt in his description. He said the slaying was an “execution.”
“Our officers were targeted by nothing more than the uniforms that they wear and for the brave and honorable job that they do,” Garcia said. “I want to be clear here, the word ambush has been thrown around in the last 24 hours. That is not what happened here. Officer Burks was executed.”
David had recently gotten married to her husband, Josh, the New York Post reported.
The David family fundraiser has received more than $90,000 toward a goal of $100,000. The money will be used for modifications to the newlyweds’ home and tools aimed to help with David’s vision loss.
“There are AI glasses, seeing-eye dogs, screen readers, smart appliances and tons of other gadgets that will enhance her life moving forward,” the family said.
