A 12-year-old boy has been charged with murder after shooting an employee of the Sonic fast food chain multiple times with an AR-22 rifle in Keene, Texas, police said in a statement.
The attack occurred on the night of May 13 in the parking lot of the establishment and, according to preliminary investigations, Angel Gomez, 20, arrived in his vehicle at the restaurant where he began to behave in a "disorderly" manner, so he was confronted by the victim, Matthew Davis, 32, who worked in the place. The suspect arrived accompanied by other people, including the minor accused of murder.
"Quickly the argument became physical" and in the middle of the altercation, the minor who was in the car, "took out a gun and fired several times, wounding the victim," authorities said.
When emergency crews arrived at the scene they found "a man with several gunshot wounds, lying in the parking lot." Davis died despite receiving first aid at the restaurant and being transported by helicopter to a hospital.
The boy used "what appears to be an AR-22-style rifle," James Kidd, chief of the Keene Police Department, told USA Today.
Angel Gomez, 20, and an unidentified minor were charged with the murder of Matthew Davis in Texas. Keene Police Department.
The suspects fled, but "during the investigation, Gomez returned to the scene where he was arrested," police said. The minor was arrested in the city of Rio Vista and authorities recovered "several firearms" during his capture.
Both suspects were charged with murder. The boy's identity and age were not released by police, but local NBC News station said he is 12 years old.
"A tremendous sadness"
Davis was the father of a 10-year-old boy and, outside the restaurant where he worked, some people have placed flowers and a cross in his honor.
The argument occurred because Gomez was urinating in the parking lot, the local station reported, which reported that the boy fired at least six rounds with the assault rifle.
"I heard a lot of gunshots," said an unidentified witness.
Jane Baggett, a resident of the area, said she felt "tremendous sadness" and was shocked by this "senseless act."
Matthew Davis, 32, died after being wounded at a Sonic chain restaurant where he worked. NBC News
The restaurant remained closed Monday as the community raises money for the victim's family.
"I wish there was more we could do," Baggett said, but "we want (his family) to see the love and support, and to know that even if we didn't know him, his life mattered to so many of us."
