Texas child, 12, is charged with murder after shooting Sonic staff member with an AR-15 while they argued with another man in the parking lot
- Cops found 32-year-old Matthew Davis lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds when they arrived at the Sonic Drive-In around 10pm Saturday
- Davis was arguing with Angel Gomez, 20, the driver of the 12-year-old, cops say
- The child grabbed an AR-15 from the car and shot the victim, investigators said
A 12-year-old Texas boy has been charged with murder after shooting a Sonic staff member with an assault rifle.
Cops found 32-year-old Matthew Davis lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds when they arrived at the Sonic Drive-In in Keene, 50 miles southwest of Dallas, around 10pm Saturday. He was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Detectives believe Angel Gomez, 20, was the driver of the 12-year-old boy and other passengers. Gomez was loud and disorderly and had been confronted by Davis after urinating in the parking lot, cops said.
During the heated exchange, the child grabbed the AR-15 rifle from the car and fired six rounds at Davis, authorities said.
The boy and Gomez fled the scene. Gomez later returned to the Sonic and was arrested. The child was detained at a house in Rio Vista, about 14 miles south of Keene, where multiple guns were seized, police said.
Matthew Davis (pictured), who leaves behind a 10-year-old son, had recently moved to Keene and started working at the Sonic just two weeks ago
Detectives believe Angel Gomez, 20, was the driver of the 12-year-old boy and other passengers. He was loud and disorderly and had been confronted by Davis after urinating in the parking lot, cops said
The shooting took place at the Sonic Drive-In in the 300 block of S. Old Betsy, Keene, Texas on Saturday night
Gomez and the boy – who cops have not named – have been charged with murder.
Davis, who leaves behind a 10-year-old son, had recently moved to Keene and started working at the Sonic just two weeks ago.
His mother is working to bury him in Louisiana where he is from.
Lynne Barton, Davis’ aunt, posted on Facebook: ‘It is with deep sadness that I share my family has had a major loss this Mothers Day. My best friend and sister has just lost her son due to a unspeakable tragedy. Her son was shot while at work, while trying to earn a living. Please share this as we are trying to get enough money to put our beloved son, brother, nephew and friend to rest. Thank you.’
Dylan Elliott, a nearby resident, said she heard gunfire and then an air ambulance.
‘I was outside. My fiancé ran in the house, and I heard a bunch of gunshots,’ Elliott told Fox.
‘You see [helicopters] every once in a while, but you never see them flying this low and this close to home at least.’
She added: ‘A 12-year-old in this day has access to a gun and kills someone. Breaks my heart mainly.’
Davis in a picture posted to a fundraising page which has been set up to help his family
The restaurant remained closed on Monday as residents came to lay flowers.
Jane Baggett told NBC: ‘I wish there was more that we could do, but right now if they could just see that support and love, and maybe, even if we didn’t know him, his life mattered to many of us.’
A Sonic spokesman said: ‘We are saddened to learn about the tragedy involving a franchised team member in Keene, TX. The franchisee is cooperating fully with local authorities as they conduct their investigation.’
