DALLAS — Police have identified both the victim and suspect in a gruesome attack that occurred Wednesday morning at the Downtown Suites motel in East Dallas.
The victim has been identified as 50-year-old Chandra Nagamallaiah, and the suspect as 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, who has been charged with capital murder.
According to the Dallas Police Department, officers were called around 9:30 a.m. to the motel in the 3400 block of Samuell Boulevard near Interstate 30 and the Tenison golf course, following reports of a stabbing. Responding officers and Dallas Fire-Rescue found the victim had been fatally attacked with an edged weapon and died at the scene.
Witnesses reported the suspect used a machete during the attack after an argument on the motel property. Eyewitness Stephanie Elliott told WFAA that Nagamallaiah attempted to flee but fell, at which point the suspect continued to stab him. “He just kept hitting him and hitting until he decapitated him,” Elliott said.
Police sources and Broadcastify audio described a violent scene, with calls indicating the suspect was armed with a machete and had decapitated the victim.
Dozens of police vehicles responded to the area, and crime scene tape blocked the entrance to the motel. Officers patrolling nearby quickly located and arrested Martinez about a block away from the scene.
Dallas Police Executive Assistant Chief Terrence Rhodes praised officers for their quick response and restraint during the arrest. “Even though [the suspect] was armed with a bladed weapon, the officers showed tremendous restraint and used minimal force to apprehend him,” Rhodes said. “This violent crime will not go unpunished and our department will thoroughly investigate and bring charges against the suspect.”
The investigation remains active, and additional details have not yet been released.
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