‘I hope you boys do every bit of time you deserve’ | Cousin of man killed by bounty hunters says he was trying to get his life back on track

DALLAS, Texas — On a day that should have been filled with family and celebration, Cody Beck is instead grieving the loss of his cousin, 33-year-old Drew Knowles.

“To lose your life over something that seems so minor, it’s just upsetting, man,” Beck said. “Cousin is a word I use for him sometimes, but really, that dude was my brother,” Beck said.

Dallas police said two suspects are charged with murder after shooting Knowles in Downtown Dallas during an attempted apprehension.

Knowles, originally from Arkansas, had recently moved to the city with hopes of starting a new chapter.  

According to sources, the two men identified as Rodney Brown, 34, and Jorge Moncivais, 23, claimed to be bounty hunters attempting to take Knowles into custody for a bond violation tied to a felony theft charge. On Friday, jail records say Brown and Moncivais have been released on bond.

The arrest affidavit says the two suspects boxed Knowles in with their vehicles. Brown reportedly exited his vehicle with a gun drawn and approached Knowles’ car.

As Knowles tried to drive away, both men reportedly opened fire. According to police, Knowles crashed into a light pole shortly after and died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

The affidavit disputes the suspects’ claim that they were in danger. The affidavits says the complainant was not a threat and the suspects were not in danger of being run over.

“Who wouldn’t be scared of two random cars he didn’t know blocking him in — and then on top of that, gunshots being fired?” Beck said.

WFAA has confirmed that the two suspects were not authorized to carry weapons while acting as bounty hunters.

While grieving, Beck said his family is still processing how something so violent and sudden could happen over what they believe was a nonviolent warrant.

“He was aware of what he had going on,” Beck said. “He was just trying to buy himself a little more time.”

Now, the family is left hoping the justice system holds the suspects accountable.

“I hope them guys are realizing what they’ve done. I hope they realize, ‘wow, we made a mistake,’” Beck said. “Truly, I hope, with not too much animosity built up in me, I hope you boys do every bit of time you deserve.”