On December 26, 2021, a mass shooting took place at a Texaco convenience store in Garland, Texas. 13-year-old Abel Acosta, armed with a 40-caliber pistol, opened fire on several teenagers, killing 3 and seriously injuring one other.
| 2021 Garland shooting | |
|---|---|
Top: Acostas, seen firing into the store. Four people were injured by the initial gunfire.
Bottom: Acostas inside of the store, firing at random. Xavier Gonzalez, who would die in the shooting, can be seen hiding under a chair. | |
| Location | 1949 East Centerville Road, Garland, Texas |
| Date | December 26, 2021 8:51 PM (CDT) |
Attack type | Mass shooting |
| Weapon | 40-caliber semi-automatic pistol |
| Deaths | 3 |
| Injured | 1 |
| Perpetrators | Abel Acosta, Richard Acosta Jr. |
Shooting
editAt 8:50 PM, a white truck with two occupants pulled up to a Texaco-owned convenience store in Garland.[1] Acosta exited the passenger side of the vehicle, and walked behind the truck, positioning himself on one of the exterior walls of the store. Acosta walked up to the front door, and stopped before ducking under a window.[2] Seconds later, Acosta got up, opened the entrance door and stuck his arm inside of the building, before firing 20 rounds from a 40-caliber pistol with an extended magazine.[3][4]
The first person shot was Xavier Gonzalez, who was shot multiple times by Acosta, and he was seriously injured. Acosta then stepped inside of the store, where he stood above Gonzalez and shot him in the head, instantly killing him. Acosta then shot at Ivan Noyala and Rafael Garcia, both of whom had already been injured when Acosta first opened fire on people inside of the store. As both attempted to flee, they were shot in the back and were fatally wounded. After firing several shots at them, Acosta shot at another teenager named David Rodriguez who was an employee in the store, injuring him in the chest. Acosta then ran back to the white truck, and the vehicle sped off.[5][6][7][8]
Xavier Gonzalez was shot 10 times, Ivan Nayala was shot 4 times, and Rafael Garcia was shot 2 times, including once in the heart.[9]
Aftermath
editVictims
editThe three victims of the shooting were between the ages of 14 and 17. The youngest, Xavier Gonzalez, was believed to have been uninvolved with Acosta prior to the shooting.[3][10]
Trial
editAlthough Abel Acosta is still wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the shooting,[11] the driver of the white truck, identified as Richard Acosta Jr., turned himself in the day after the shooting and was arrested for facilitating the attack and acting as a getaway driver.[12] In February of 2022, Acosta Jr. was indicted by the Dallas County court on a capital murder charge,[13] which can carry the death sentence in the state of Texas.[14] In February of 2023, Acosta Jr. was found guilty of capital murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.[15][16][17]
Perpetrator
editAbel Acosta was 13 years old at the time of the shooting. The reason why he carried out the shooting is disputed, but it is believed to have been because of prior conflict between him and Ivan Noyala, who would die in the shooting. After the attack, Acosta fled from authorities and is believed to be in Mexico.[18][19]
See also
edit- 2022 Phoenix shooting, another filmed mass shooting in Arizona the year prior
- List of filmed mass shootings
References
edit- ^ "What we know about the Garland gas station shooting that left 3 teens dead, 1 wounded". Dallas News. 2022-07-13. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "3 teens dead, 1 critical in shooting at Texas gas station". AP News. 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ a b "Victims identified after Garland shooting leaves 3 teens dead". KERA News. 2021-12-27. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Keller, Alex (2023-02-10). "Father of Texas teen accused in triple murder found guilty of capital murder for driving getaway car". KWTX. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Man found guilty in 2021 Garland shooting that left 3 teens dead. But his teen son, the suspected gunman, remains at large". CNN. 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "$17,000 REWARD - Garland CrimeStoppers". Garland CrimeStoppers. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Suspect arrested after Texas convenience store shooting that killed 3". NBC News. 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Survivor, witnesses testify about chaotic scene after triple homicide at Garland store". Dallas News. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ "Richard Acosta: Testimony continues in capital murder trial of dad accused of driving getaway car for son after Garland killings". wfaa.com. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ "Family of slain teen marks anniversary of his death; shooter remains on the lam". Dallas News. 2022-12-26. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Texas police release teen, say triple killing suspect loose". AP News. 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Press, The Associated (2021-12-28). "Texas police release teen, say triple killing suspect still on the loose". CBS 7. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Boyer, Alex (2023-02-10). "Garland Convenience Store Shooting: Accused shooter's father found guilty, sentenced to life in prison". FOX 4. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Father who drove teen to Garland gas station indicted on capital murder charge in triple shooting". Dallas News. 2022-02-17. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Richard Acosta Jr., Texas father of teen accused in triple murder at convenience store, convicted - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-02-11. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Testimony begins in capital murder trial for dad accused of driving getaway car for son after killing 3". wfaa.com. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Texas dad, Richard Acosta, convicted of murder in fatal shootings by teen son". Associated Press. 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Search continues for Garland triple shooting suspect two years later, police say". wfaa.com. 2023-12-26. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "GPD obtains 'Directive to Apprehend' for shooting suspect in triple murder - The Garland Texan Local News". 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2024-10-09.