A 19-year-old has been charged with murder after a devastating shooting at an AutoZone store in Birnham Woods, Montgomery County, Texas, that left a young man dead. William Gabriel Aguilar, 19, is accused of walking into the car parts store and shooting Carlos Perez, also 19, multiple times. The incident occurred on Saturday morning around 9:50 AM, and Perez tragically died from his injuries, according to Click2Houston.
Aguilar, who fled the scene on foot, was apprehended just a short distance from the store. The shooting took place just yards from a daycare center where children were practicing gymnastics at the time. The horrifying crime has left the community reeling and searching for answers.
Carlos’s family and friends have paid heartfelt tributes to the young man, remembering him as a hardworking and religious individual with big dreams for his future. David Ackerman, a close friend of Carlos, said, “He really was the best out of all of us. He was supposed to have a good life, not this. He had dreams. Big dreams. It’s not fair.”
Carlos’s cousin, Daylanie Alanis, shared the grief of his untimely death, telling Fox 24, “We’re heartbroken. We’re sad. We’re angry, we’re feeling all of these emotions… He did not deserve any of this.” She continued, “He was very religious. He welcomed everybody in his life. If someone had a problem, he would help them out, even if he didn’t know them… No matter what, he will always be here with us, in our heart, in our mind.”
A video shared on Facebook showed a crowd of local residents gathering outside the AutoZone for a candlelight prayer vigil in memory of Carlos. One of his friends, who witnessed the footage, wrote: “I love this young man. I will treasure our memories and vacation to the beach after graduation. RIP.”
Aguilar has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder following the shooting. Captain Adam Acosta of the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office expressed the community’s sorrow, stating, “Christmas time is about family. It’s about trying to be together and celebrate, and when something like this happens, it’s very upsetting.” The tragic event has cast a shadow over the holiday season, leaving a grieving community in its wake.