ARLINGTON, TX — A 63-year-old woman was fatally stabbed late Monday night in an Arlington apartment complex, despite the efforts of an armed neighbor who attempted to intervene during the attack.

Around 11:58 p.m. on March 31, 2025, Arlington police responded to multiple reports of gunfire at an apartment complex in the 2600 block of Whisper Meadow Lane. When officers arrived, they discovered Erma Adeyemo Azeez lying unresponsive in a breezeway. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.

A 37-year-old resident told police he heard the woman screaming for help and retrieved a firearm before going to investigate. He reported seeing a man attacking her with a sharp object. The resident said he pointed his firearm at the suspect, announced his intention to shoot, and fired a round into the ground. The suspect then fled the area on foot.

Police later identified the suspect as 23-year-old Jacob Arriaga Guerrero, who was on probation at the time and wearing an ankle monitor. Authorities received a tampering alert from his device, and GPS data confirmed he was at the scene during the time of the attack. Multiple witness descriptions also matched his appearance.

The following morning, Arlington officers responded to a hit-and-run at Walnut Hill Circle and Burney Road involving a stolen SUV. The vehicle struck a pedestrian walking a dog and collided with another car before fleeing. The pedestrian and driver were not seriously injured, and the dog sustained an injury to its leg.

With assistance from the department’s Real Time Crime Center, officers located the stolen vehicle nearby and took Guerrero into custody. He was initially charged with Aggravated Assault, Collision Involving Injury, Animal Cruelty, and Theft of a Motor Vehicle.

Following confirmation from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner that Ms. Azeez died from stab wounds, police upgraded the charge to Murder in consultation with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.

The investigation is ongoing.

This incident underscores the complex decisions armed citizens may face when responding to violent situations. Even when responding quickly, outcomes can be unpredictable and tragic. In any self-defense scenario, understanding the legal boundaries of use of force, maintaining composure, and ensuring safety for oneself and others are all critical components of responsible gun ownership.

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