Shooting suspect was taking revenge on victim

Sunnyvale police said the man recently arrested and charged in a 2023 homicide was retaliating against the victim for an incident that occurred several days before the shooting.

Quantavius ​​Gomillia, 27, was arrested in Mississippi on June 13, more than a year after the shooting death of Tyesha Merritt, 27. He was extradited to Texas and booked into the Dallas County Jail on Friday. Gomillia is charged with murder, and police said additional charges are pending involving other victims injured in the shooting.

On June 4, 2023, at approximately 6 p.m., a shooting was reported at a townhouse in the 200 block of Planters Road. Merritt was killed in the shooting, and her adult brother and three children were also injured. Video released by the department showed a vehicle pull up in front of the townhouse before a man jumped out, opened fire, and jumped back into the car as it drove away.

Police said last week they were still searching for the driver of the car. Sunnyvale Police Chief Bill Vegas said investigators believe Gomillia was the shooter in the incident.

Vegas said Merritt was targeted in retaliation for an incident that occurred on May 29, 2023. He said the two suspects were looking for Merritt, who was an acquaintance of Gomillia.

Vegas did not specify what type of incident occurred before the shooting.

Vegas said Gomillia had been in contact with the department following an unrelated incident and that during his communication with the department, he realized he may have been involved in Merritt's death. Vegas said Gomillia suddenly stopped communicating with the department and police obtained a warrant for his arrest on June 10.

Vegas said police, with help from the FBI, traced a car Gomillia rented to Mississippi, and he was arrested June 13. Vegas said investigators don't know why Gomillia fled to Mississippi, but said he appeared to be trying to get to his father's home.

“Something triggered him,” Vegas said. “Something scared him enough that he left D-FW to go to Mississippi to be with his dad.”

Vegas thanked Mesquite and Carrollton police, as well as the FBI, for their assistance in the investigation. He also said a CrimeStoppers tip line with a $25,000 reward is still active for anyone with information about the driver. Vegas said anyone with information can call CrimeStoppers at 877-373-8477.

Gomillia remained in Dallas County Jail Tuesday on $500,000 bail.