Tragedy struck a Texas tattoo shop when a disagreement over a final paycheck ended in a fatal shooting. The owner of the parlor, Javier “Big Dawg” Arredondo, fired a 46-year-old employee on Tuesday, according to Arlington Police Department.
The dismissal stemmed from a prior incident, as reported in police documents. The employee’s identity is being withheld pending confirmation from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The situation escalated when the employee refused to leave the premises. Amid a heated argument, Arredondo cleared the shop of witnesses before shots were heard.
Authorities noted that the employee had shown signs of agitation and aggression earlier. Tragically, he was struck in the head by gunfire, with the shop reopening just days later.
Arredondo himself called 911 prior to the shooting, seeking assistance in removing the employee. Despite the proximity of Arlington Police Headquarters, the shooting occurred before they could intervene.
While Arredondo claimed self-defense, investigations revealed that the victim was unarmed and had not attempted to physically assault him. The absence of a legitimate legal reason for the lethal response cast doubt on Arredondo’s actions.
Arredondo explained that he had planned to pay the employee on Friday, but the argument escalated when the employee displayed aggressive behavior. This led Arredondo to draw his firearm and fire three shots, according to his account. However, he admitted that the victim hadn’t issued threats, shown a weapon, or engaged in physical contact.
Arredondo now faces a murder charge and is held at the Tarrant County Corrections Center on a $100,000 bond. The incident has left many questioning the circumstances that led to this tragic outcome.
