Two killed in Deep Ellum fight; suspect arrested, charged with capital murder

Police arrested 27-year-old Sergio Naffarratte and charged him with two counts of capital murder after two men were stabbed during a fight in the Deep Ellum area in the early hours of Feb. 8. The victims, identified as 28-year-old Alyshah Punjani and 30-year-old Adrian Williams Jr., were taken to a local hospital and later died, Dallas police say.

Officers responded to a stabbing call at approximately 1:35 a.m. in the 400 block of North Good Latimer Expressway. A preliminary investigation indicates the stabbing occurred during a fight in the nearby 2600 block of Floyd Street. A witness who said she was with Naffarratte told detectives the group had been leaving a business at 2601 Gaston Avenue when the two men and the suspect crossed paths.

That female companion told police Williams and Punjani began walking behind her and Naffarratte, "making derogatory statements toward her." According to the arrest affidavit, Naffarratte waived his Miranda rights and told police that "the complainants approached them from behind and were speaking aggressively toward him and the female." Police recovered a bloody pocket knife from Naffarratte and the arrest document says he admitted to injuring the men with his knife.

Naffarratte was treated for a minor cut at a local hospital, released, and booked into the Dallas County Jail on the capital murder counts. Investigators say witnesses on both sides gave conflicting versions of events - "each side's witness claims 'the opposing party initiated the fight.'"

Dallas Police Department investigators continue to probe the sequence of events and the exact location where the confrontation began and escalated. Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward. Dallas Police are asking anyone with information regarding the case to contact Detective D. Grubbs at 469-540-6377 or via email at david.grubbsjr@dallaspolice.gov.

For Deep Ellum residents, workers, and visitors, the case underscores the risks that can arise late at night in busy entertainment corridors. Business owners and managers should check surveillance footage, preserve any relevant video, and share it with investigators. Witnesses who may have seen the fight or who have location video from the Good Latimer, Floyd Street, or Gaston Avenue areas can provide crucial evidence that helps determine what happened.

The investigation remains active and prosecutors have filed two counts of capital murder against Sergio Naffarratte. Expect follow-up reporting as Dallas Police release additional findings, booking records become public, and court proceedings are scheduled. In the meantime, sharing information and footage with authorities will be essential to piecing together the full picture for the families involved and the Deep Ellum community.