A Dallas police officer, Senior Corporal Karissa David, was left blind in both eyes after a gunman fired multiple shots at her during a brutal attack that claimed the life of another officer. David, who was released from the hospital on September 19, faces months of outpatient care as she adjusts to her devastating injuries.
The tragic event unfolded on August 29 at the For Oak Cliff Community Campus when David responded to the scene where 30-year-old Corey Cobb-Bey had ambushed and killed Officer Darron Burks. Burks was sitting inside his patrol car between calls when Cobb-Bey targeted him in an execution-style killing.
Officers were dispatched to the community center after receiving an unusual transmission from Burks’ radio just after 10 p.m. Senior Corporal Jamie Farmer was the first officer on the scene and was immediately met with gunfire from Cobb-Bey, who was armed with a 9mm handgun, a .22 caliber handgun, and two shotguns. Farmer returned fire but was struck in the leg by Cobb-Bey as he fled across the parking lot.
Cobb-Bey then turned his attention to David, who had just arrived and was stepping out of her vehicle. Without hesitation, he fired multiple rounds at her. Though David returned fire, she was hit in the face, leaving her critically wounded.
As Cobb-Bey attempted to escape, leading officers on a chase, the three injured officers were rushed to the hospital. Tragically, Officer Burks was pronounced dead upon arrival. David, initially listed in stable but critical condition, is now blind in both eyes, while Farmer was treated and released the next day.
In a statement shared on a GoFundMe page, David’s family asked for continued prayers, saying, “She is currently blind in both eyes, and we ask for continued prayers for a miracle in that regard.”
David, who recently married her husband, Josh, is preparing for a major surgery and will require various modifications to her home to help her adapt to her new reality. The family’s fundraiser, which has raised nearly $84,000, will be used for tools and resources like AI glasses, seeing-eye dogs, and smart appliances to assist with her vision loss.
Cobb-Bey was eventually shot and killed by police after he fled to Lewisville, 25 miles from the scene. When he got out of his car and pointed a shotgun at the pursuing officers, they opened fire, killing him on the spot.
Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia made it clear that Burks’ death was a targeted attack, stating, “Our officers were targeted by nothing more than the uniforms that they wear and for the brave and honorable job that they do… Officer Burks was executed.”