Garland police are requesting the public’s help after identifying a fourteen-year-old accused of shooting and killing three teenagers and wounding a fourth at a convenience store on Sunday.
After discovering evidence, police believe Abel Elias Acosta was the gunman in the shooting. He is wanted on capital murder charges. A Directive to Apprehend is in effect for the suspect.
The victims are identified as Xavier Gonzales, Ivan Noyola, and Rafael Garcia. All three boys were under the age of 18 years of age. The fourth victim’s identity has not been released.
As previously reported by the Dallas Express, police have the gunman’s father in custody after he turned himself in. Richard Acosta Jr. was identified as the driver of the white truck on surveillance footage. As of Tuesday, he remains in jail with a $1 million bond.
Earlier, police had arrested another fourteen-year-old male whom they assumed was the gunman, but he was released to his family without any charges.
Lieutenant Pedro Barineau with the Garland Police Department said, “When we took him into custody, he had knowledge of the shooting. But just because he had knowledge doesn’t mean he pulled the trigger.”
He remains a person of interest in the case, according to police.
Barineau declared, “This investigation will not sleep until we get that person off the streets.”
Garland police ask that anyone with information on the whereabouts of Acosta call them or 911. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Typically information involving juvenile suspects is not revealed. Still, according to police, “due to the nature of the offense and potential risk to the public, the court has authorized the release of his information.”
To make a tip anonymously, individuals may contact Garland Crime Stoppers at 972-272-8477 or www.garlandcrimestoppers.org.