Dallas police officer arrested in connection with two unsolved 2017 murders

A Dallas police officer was arrested Thursday in connection with two unsolved 2017 murders.

Officials allege the officer, 13-year veteran Bryan Riser, committed the crimes while off duty and say they are unrelated.

Riser was arrested on two counts of capital murder after a man told investigators in 2019 that he kidnapped and killed two people at the officer's instruction four years ago, authorities said.

Police identified the victims as Liza Saenz, 31, and Albert Douglas, 61. Saenz's body was discovered with bullet wounds in the Trinity River on March 10, 2017, according to the Associated Press. Douglas's body has yet to be found.

Riser joined the Dallas police force in 2008 and was a patrol officer prior to his arrest. He is on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, police said.

"We're going to expedite our process so this individual is no longer with the department," Dallas Chief of Police Eddie Garcia said. "We will not allow anyone to tarnish this badge."

Garcia did not say why Riser was arrested more than a year after the witness came forward, the wire service also reports.