Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has called for the death penalty for an illegal alien who allegedly killed an 18-year-old at Grapevine Lake.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Grapevine Police Department and Texas Game Wardens arrested Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez and Maikel Coello Perozo in connection with the hit-and-run that left Ava Moore dead.

Gonzalez was allegedly driving the jet ski that struck Moore, and Perozo allegedly helped Gonzalez flee from the scene of the crime.

Attorney General Ken Paxton quickly announced that the suspects were also illegal aliens, writing in a news release about the arrests that the “senseless death was caused by an illegal alien who should have never been in our country in the first place.”

Abbott responded to a social media post about the arrests of Gonzalez and Perozo, promptly calling for the state to take action with the death penalty.

 

The Dallas Express attended a press conference about these arrests and asked Texas Game Warden Captain Joseph Quintero whether the death penalty would be considered in this instance.

“As of now, we have filed manslaughter charges,”  Quintero responded, as previously reported by DX. 

“All of that is left, obviously, for the courts to run through the system. But what we are looking at right now, what we have filed initially, are manslaughter charges.”

This press conference also included Makayla Moore, a victim services advocate for Grapevine Police, giving a statement on behalf of the victim’s family.

“Out of this tragedy, God will make good, and that only can be accomplished through forgiveness. We respectfully ask for our time and privacy to grieve and thank you for all of your kindness and support.”

The Dallas Express has also contacted the Office of Governor Abbott for any additional comments related to the allegations, but there has been no response as of publication.

A GoFundMe has been set up to honor Moore and help her family pay for funeral costs. The fundraiser states that she was “an outstanding student and athlete” who graduated from Timber Creek High School in 2024.

Moore had recently returned to Texas after spending the past year at the Air Force Preparatory School in Colorado.

This GoFundMe had an initial goal of $20,000 to help with funeral costs, but donations have exceeded that goal and reached nearly $40,000.