HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A 33-year-old man has been indicted for murder in relation to the tragic shooting of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez in the Gulfgate area in 2022, as announced by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday. The incident occurred as Arlene and her family were en route to get pizza on Valentine’s Day.
The suspect, Tony Earls Jr., was at a Chase Bank in the area when he was reportedly robbed at gunpoint around 9:30 p.m. Earls then allegedly fired shots at the robber as they fled the scene. Unfortunately, Arlene’s family was passing by the bank in their pickup truck at the same time, and Earls’ shots struck the vehicle, resulting in the young girl’s death.
Initially charged with aggravated assault, Earls was released in July 2022 after a Harris County grand jury chose not to indict him. However, the case was re-evaluated by the District Attorney’s Office, leading to his recent indictment on murder charges. Prosecutors argued that Earls had a clear line of sight and could have avoided shooting into the passing vehicle with Arlene inside.
An expert opinion obtained by the district attorney’s office indicates that Earls had the opportunity to see the robber run past the Alvarez family’s truck and that there was no justification for his actions. The prosecutor handling the case, Warren Diepraam, emphasized that Earls did not have valid reasons to fire his weapon at the vehicle.
Authorities are still working to identify and apprehend the robber involved in the initial incident at the bank. If convicted of murder, Earls could face a wide range of penalties, including up to life in prison. The case has attracted significant attention due to the tragic circumstances surrounding Arlene’s death.
The district attorney’s office has released no further information on the ongoing investigation. However, the community continues to mourn the loss of young Arlene Alvarez and seek justice for her and her family in this heartbreaking case.