A devastating shooting on Saturday morning at an AutoZone in Montgomery County, Texas, has left a 19-year-old employee dead. 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. Investigators report that Aguilar entered the store and fatally shot an employee, later identified as 19-year-old Carlos Perez. Responding constables found Perez deceased inside the store, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Fortunately, no customers were inside the store at the time of the shooting. However, one individual was present in the parking lot and witnessed the events unfold. Nearby facilities, including a daycare center and a crowded gymnastics facility, were unaffected by the violence, though the proximity heightened concerns in the community.
Aguilar fled the scene on foot, running through fences and residential streets before law enforcement apprehended him a short distance away. He was taken into custody without further incident. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting, but they are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable Captain Adam Acosta expressed sorrow over the loss, particularly 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,” Acosta said. A chaplain from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was on-site to provide support to AutoZone employees and others affected by the event.
Aguilar is currently being held at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Jail, with bond set at $750,000. Detectives from Precinct 3, alongside the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit and the District Attorney’s Office, are leading a thorough investigation.
The tragic loss of Carlos Perez has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving many mourning the senseless violence. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office or Precinct 3 Constable’s Office. Meanwhile, Perez’s body has been transported to the Montgomery County Forensic Center for an autopsy, as investigators work to provide clarity and justice for his family.