Two teenagers were arrested in July 2026 in connection with the April drowning of 18-year-old Daniel Erving at Lake Ray Hubbard authorities said; the arrests occurred after investigators recovered discarded belongings and communications linked to the incident. Last update: July 15, 2026.
The arrests marked a significant development in an investigation that initially focused on the recovery and medical determination of cause of death and later shifted to alleged post-incident actions by those who were with Erving. The case has drawn public attention because of the recovery of physical items and deleted phone communications that investigators say bear on whether those on scene behaved lawfully after the drowning.
What happened at Lake Ray Hubbard on April 13 and investigative findings
On April 13, 2026, Daniel Erving was last seen with 19-year-old Lucas Roper and a 17-year-old juvenile after the three reportedly jumped from a railroad bridge near the 6300 block of Miller Road and entered the water; Erving was reported missing that day and his body was recovered on April 17, with the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office ruling the death an accidental drowning. Investigators later focused on actions taken after the drowning, reporting that items belonging to Erving were discarded and that attempts were made to remove electronic evidence.
Law enforcement recovered clothing and a cellphone belonging to Erving near the scene after follow-up searches; phone data retrieved from the recovered device showed calls and messages from the day of the drowning. Investigators allege those items and communications were handled in ways that led to charges for tampering with evidence rather than for the drowning itself.
Arrests, charges and alleged actions after the drowning
On July 9, 2026, the Dallas Police Department arrested Lucas Roper charging him with one count of tampering with physical evidence, a third-degree felony, and also arrested a 17-year-old juvenile on a similar charge. According to arrest documents, Roper and the juvenile fled the scene in Roper’s vehicle after Erving drowned, with the juvenile allegedly throwing Erving’s cellphone out of the car and Roper discarding clothing near a bridge above the lake; the clothing and phone were later recovered by investigators.
The arrest affidavit reported that phone calls and messages between Roper and Erving from the day were found on the recovered phone, and that Roper admitted to deleting communications from his own phone because he was aware of the impending investigation. The affidavit also stated that Roper told detectives he “panicked” and fled the scene, and that the juvenile showed detectives where items had been discarded, aiding recovery efforts; those admissions formed the basis for the tampering charges.
Family reaction, legal team statements and calls for further accountability
Erving’s family held a press conference on July 14, 2026, with the family attorney in attendance, describing the arrests as a step but not the entire measure of justice they seek. Daniel’s mother, Tameka Erving, spoke about her son and the family’s resolve, saying, “Daniel Irving, my baby boy,” and also stating that “he liked to go by Mike, so this is a fight for Mike.”
The family’s legal team expressed dissatisfaction with the current charges and urged investigators to pursue “whole justice” for Erving rather than what they called a partial response; the family’s lead counsel stated, “We’re going to make them get justice — not partial justice, not half justice, not three-fifths justice, but we’re going to get whole justice for Daniel Erving.” The family questioned why those present would discard belongings and flee if the drowning were solely accidental, and they urged continued investigation into all actions surrounding the incident.
Ongoing investigation and procedural notes from law enforcement
The Dallas Police Department confirmed the arrests and said the matter remains under active investigation; the Rowlett Police Department has assisted but the Dallas agency is the lead because the drowning occurred within Dallas city limits. Investigators emphasized the importance of recovered digital and physical evidence in reconstructing the timeline and the conduct of those present after the drowning.
As the case moves into the criminal justice process, Roper and the juvenile are facing tampering allegations while the medical examiner’s accidental ruling remains part of the record; prosecutors will determine whether additional charges are warranted as investigative findings are reviewed. Legal proceedings and any additional filings were described by representatives as ongoing, with court schedules and prosecutorial decisions expected to follow standard criminal justice timelines.
