Crime
19-year-old Carlos Perez killed in AutoZone shooting, suspect William Aguilar in custody
Aguilar is currently being held at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Jail with bond set at $750,000.
Montgomery County, TX – A tragic shooting unfolded on Saturday morning at an AutoZone in Montgomery County, resulting in the death of a 19-year-old employee.
Authorities have arrested and charged 19-year-old William Gabriel Aguilar with first-degree murder in connection with the incident.
The shooting occurred at approximately 9:50 a.m. at the AutoZone located in the 28800 block of Birnham Woods Drive.
According to investigators, Aguilar entered the store and fatally shot an employee, later identified as 19-year-old Carlos Perez. Reports indicate that Perez was shot multiple times, and responding constables found him deceased inside the store.
Authorities confirmed that no customers were inside the store at the time of the incident, although one individual was present in the parking lot when the shooting took place.
Aguilar fled the scene on foot, running through nearby fences and residential streets before being apprehended a short distance away without further incident.
The violence occurred near a daycare center, which was closed at the time, and the World Champion Center, a nearby gymnastics facility that was crowded with children practicing.
Constables expressed relief that no additional injuries occurred but emphasized the devastating nature of the crime. A chaplain from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was present to provide counseling to AutoZone employees affected by the tragedy.
Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable Captain Adam Acosta expressed deep sorrow over the incident, especially given the timing during the holiday season.
“Christmas time is about family. It’s about trying to be together and celebrate, and when something like this happens, it’s very upsetting,” Captain Acosta stated.
South Montgomery County Fire and Montgomery County Hospital District (MCHD) personnel responded to the scene. Perez’s body has been transported to the Montgomery County Forensic Center for an autopsy.
Precinct 3 detectives, with assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit and the District Attorney’s Office, are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Aguilar is currently being held at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Jail with bond set at $750,000.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office or the Precinct 3 Constable’s Office.
Orlando, Fla. — Family and friends of 33-year-old Julien Emmanuel Cruz are seeking answers and accountability following his fatal shooting outside a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub early Sunday morning.
According to the Orlando Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:31 a.m. on February 22, 2026, to the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, just north of Lake Ivanhoe, in reference to a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located Cruz suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities confirmed Cruz was born May 18, 1992.
Detectives determined that prior to the shooting, Cruz and the suspect were involved in a verbal and physical altercation on the sidewalk outside the nightclub district. Investigators say that during the dispute, the suspect retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Cruz.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, which patrol officers later located in the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue, approximately two blocks from where the shooting occurred.
Police subsequently arrested 37-year-old Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr (DOB: October 29, 1988). He has been charged with Second Degree Murder with a Firearm. Authorities confirmed this case marks the third homicide in Orlando in 2026.
Cruz’s father, Anthony Cruz, said his son and his partner had been at Savoy Orlando enjoying the evening before the violence unfolded.
According to the family, as the couple exited the club after closing time, a vehicle sped past them. Cruz’s partner allegedly yelled toward the occupants of the vehicle, prompting the car to stop. A physical altercation then reportedly began between Cruz’s partner and one of the individuals from the vehicle.
“When they fought, my son saw that was happening. My son went to intervene, and when he intervened, another guy got out of the car, and he got shot,” Anthony Cruz said. “My son didn’t deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt — a shirt with a bullet hole.”
While police have charged Borja Gil De La Madr, Cruz’s family maintains that another individual may have been directly responsible for pulling the trigger. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether additional suspects are being sought.
A small memorial has formed across from the nightclub, where members of the community have gathered to honor Cruz’s memory.
Joshua Cooper, owner of Savoy Orlando, said the tragedy has deeply impacted the LGBTQ+ community, even though the shooting occurred off the club’s property.
“I didn’t know the victim, but from everything I’ve been told, I wish I had,” Cooper said. “He seemed like a great kid. Seeing a family that is so heartbroken and so supportive of this community says so much.”
The Orlando Police Department has not released additional information regarding potential additional suspects. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and shooting.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline.
The investigation remains active.