HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A man has been indicted for the murder of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez in the Gulfgate area in 2022, announced the Harris County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday. The tragic incident occurred as Arlene and her family were on their way to grab pizza on Valentine’s Day.
According to authorities, the accused, Tony Earls Jr., was involved in a robbery at a Chase Bank at the intersection of Winkler and Woodridge. Earls reportedly fired shots at the robber as they fled, with some of the bullets striking Arlene’s family’s pickup truck, resulting in the young girl’s death.
Initially charged with aggravated assault, Earls was not indicted by a Harris County grand jury back in July 2022 and was subsequently released. However, following a re-examination of the case by a special prosecutor assigned by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, new evidence emerged leading to Earls’ indictment.
The special prosecutor, Warren Diepraam, stated that an expert opinion revealed that Earls had a clear line of sight when he fired at the robber running past the Alvarez family’s vehicle, where Arlene was seated. The prosecutor emphasized that Earls had no justification to shoot into the passing vehicle, according to the investigation.
In light of the circumstances, if found guilty of murder, Earls could face a range of penalties from five years in prison to life imprisonment. Investigators are still actively pursuing leads to identify and apprehend the initial robber involved in the incident.
The community awaits the upcoming legal proceedings as they seek justice for the untimely loss of young Arlene. The tragic events surrounding her death have sparked discussions on the importance of gun safety and responsible firearm use in public spaces. As the case progresses, authorities are working diligently to ensure that all facets of the investigation are thoroughly examined to bring closure to Arlene’s family and the community at large.