The suspect allegedly became upset that Nagamallaiah spoke through the witness to translate rather than addressing him directly. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Cobos-Martinez leaving the room, retrieving a machete, and attacking the victim.
“He just snapped—grabbed a weapon and started swinging,” a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told Fox 4 KDFW.
During the assault, Cobos-Martinez is accused of pausing to search the victim’s pockets and taking items. The affidavit also states that the victim’s wife and son attempted to intervene but were forced back multiple times.
Police arrested Cobos-Martinez shortly after the incident in front of the Beer Mart Express, located just a few blocks from where the body was discovered.
Gruesome Attack and Ongoing Investigation
The shocking nature of the crime has left the East Dallas community shaken. “This is one of the most gruesome attacks we’ve seen in recent memory,” one resident said while watching the scene unfold behind crime scene tape.
