Houston, Texas – A tragic incident unfolded as 12-year-old Carlos Fernandez sacrificed his life while protecting his family from his mother’s abusive ex-boyfriend. The heartbreaking event occurred at 3 a.m. on a Monday, when Ashley Rostro, along with her boyfriend and two young daughters, were asleep in one room while Carlos slept nearby in the living room.
According to Rostro, her ex-boyfriend, Terry Rivera, broke into their home by opening a window and proceeded to create chaos by pushing a television off a dresser. Rivera then opened fire as Carlos rushed to protect his family, resulting in the young boy being fatally shot four times.
Rostro revealed that Rivera had broken into their apartment just three days before the fatal shooting, stealing her gun in the process. Despite Rostro’s attempts to seek help from law enforcement by reporting the break-in and subsequent attacks, the situation escalated to a tragic outcome with Carlos losing his life at the hands of his mother’s abusive ex-partner.
Attorney Anthony Osso Jr. shed light on Rivera’s criminal history, pointing out missed opportunities to prevent the tragic event. Rivera’s pattern of violence, including previous charges related to domestic violence, should have raised red flags and prompted more decisive action, according to Osso.
Rostro, filled with grief and a sense of responsibility to be her son’s voice, shared the harrowing experience of the attack and subsequent loss, urging anyone with information on Rivera’s whereabouts to come forward. In the wake of the tragedy, she stresses the importance of taking domestic violence seriously and seeking help when facing abusive situations.
As the community grapples with the heartbreaking loss of a child and the devastating effects of domestic violence, Rostro’s plea for justice and awareness serves as a reminder of the urgent need for proactive measures to protect individuals from abusive situations. The tragic death of Carlos Fernandez stands as a testament to the grave consequences of domestic violence and the importance of swift and effective intervention to prevent such senseless loss of life.