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Four out of five people killed this week in Dallas were Latino

With five murders in Dallas this week, Latino leaders voiced their concerns about violence in their community.

DALLAS — Neighbors at a southeast Dallas apartment complex woke up early Friday morning to gunshots.

Soon after, a man and a woman were found dead.

"It's unsettling,” said Kendrea Rubin. "It puts us on edge."

By Friday afternoon, sources said a suspect was arrested in Oak Cliff in connection to the early-morning homicides.

It was another deadly week in Dallas. Five people were shot and killed. And a gunman was shot dead outside a federal courthouse after he opened fire in front of a federal courthouse in downtown. 

Among those killed this week was 17-year-old Valdemar Esquivel, who was shot while sitting in his truck with his best friend at his side.

Four of the five people killed this week were Latino.

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"Everywhere we go we got to worry. Everywhere you go you have to turn your head,” said Aaron Chairez.

Latino civil rights leaders from LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens, have spoken out this week about the violence in their community and the leadership of Chief U. Reneé Hall, who they say hasn't tried to connect with the organization or address their concerns.

"A lot of us, as I've said, think she really does not know about the Latino community,” said Rene Martinez, president of LULAC Council 100. "The demographics in Dallas compared to Detroit are totally different."

When asked about Hall at an event supporting immigrants in North Texas, Mayor Eric Johnson walked away.

"I'm sorry, I'm running a little be late to a meeting," he said when asked about the Latino community's concerns. 

Johnson did say he and other city leaders are working to bring the violent crime rate under control. 

Martinez says he has confidence in Johnson and his ability to work with all people.  

"He's a smart man," he said of Johnson. "He knows what's going on. I've known Mayor Johnson for 10 years. Don't underestimate him. He grew up in West Dallas and is knowledgeable. He's on top of it."

Dallas police issued a statement Thursday addressing Latinos’ concerns:  

The Dallas Police Department works diligently at connecting and engaging in collaborative partnerships with every community it serves. We will continue to work to strengthen those relationships through DPD’s community engagement efforts and directly with Dallas Chief Renee Hall.

MORE WFAA Dallas crime coverage:

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