The family of 18-year-old Daniel Erving is demanding additional charges and more answers after a teenager was arrested nearly three months after Erving’s death at Lake Ray Hubbard. Surrounded by family and friends during a news conference, Erving’s mother, Tameka Erving, spoke publicly about her son’s death. “This wasn’t supposed to happen.” The family described Daniel Erving as an honor roll high school senior, a member of the swim team and “a good kid.” His body was found in Lake Ray Hubbard four days after he went missing in April. Last Thursday, 19-year-old Lucas Roper was arrested. According to an arrest affidavit, Roper and a 16-year-old picked up Erving from his home to go fishing and swimming. The affidavit says the three jumped from a bridge into the lake and that Erving drowned. The affidavit alleges the two teens panicked and left Erving in the water. It says they threw his clothes into nearby trees and discarded his cellphone in a ditch after driving away. According to the affidavit, Roper later admitted deleting messages between himself and Erving because he knew there would be an investigation and did not want to get into trouble. “If you are not guilty of a crime, why would you throw away his clothes and delete messages and not even call his mother?” Tameka Erving said. Sean Daredia, an attorney representing the Erving family, criticized the actions described in the affidavit. “Those two suspects let Daniel Erving; they let his body sit on the bottom of Lake Ray Hubbard for four days.” He added: “They went to school, they lived their lives, they talked to their parents, talked to their friends, acted like nothing happened.” Roper was interviewed by police on April 20 but was not arrested until July 9. Another attorney representing the family questioned the timeline. “Why did it take them three months to decide to do anything about it?” Rowlett police initially investigated the case before Dallas police took over because Erving’s body was found within Dallas’ jurisdiction. Both departments and the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office said they cannot comment because the investigation remains open. The family’s attorneys said they are now conducting their own investigation. Dominique Alexander of the Next Generation Action Network said the current charge is not enough. “Tampering with the evidence charge is an outright disrespect to this family, to me, to this community.” The family is calling for additional charges as they continue seeking answers. “I just want justice for my son,” Tameka Erving said. Court records do not list an attorney for Lucas Roper. The other teen involved is a minor. ...read more read less