Harris County suspect identified, charged with Capital Murder for 12-year-old's death
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - A suspect has been named and charged in the tragic shooting death of a 12-year-old Carlos Fernandez in Harris County.
Terry Bryan Rivera was charged with Capital Murder for killing Carlos, who he allegedly shot while he was sleeping on Monday morning in the 13900 block of Alderson.
BACKGROUND: Harris County shooting: Boy killed while sleeping in apartment on Alderson
According to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Rivera was in a previous relationship with the 12-year-old's mother and had two children with her. They were together for six years and were separated on and off for two years.
Harris County deputies were confirmed to have been called to the home before the shooting. Fernandez's mother says Rivera had dropped the kids off around 10 p.m. and was being loud and confrontational.
The mother had two friends with her to help get the kids out of the truck, and as she approached to get them, Rivera pushed her, making her fall backward, HCSO reports.
Rivera had allegedly grabbed a firearm from next to the vehicle and yelled at her again while the kids were escorted inside the home. He did not point the weapon at anyone, officials say.
Authorities say they recovered the grey pickup truck believed to be used by the suspect when the shooting occurred.
The family called for justice. "You destroyed us. There’s nothing you can do to bring that little boy back. There’s nothing that we can say that’s gonna help us heal," the family said.
According to officials, the mother told deputies she wanted to pursue charges and when they contacted the district attorney's office, the charges were declined against Rivera because she did not experience any pain, discomfort, or injury.
Sheriff Gonzalez reports Rivera is still on the run and should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information on Rivera's whereabouts is asked to call the HCSO Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stoppers Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).