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.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.