Cloverleaf, Texas – Authorities have identified a 27-year-old man as the suspect in the tragic killing of 12-year-old Carlos Fernandez in his Cloverleaf home. The suspect, Terry Bryan Rivera, is said to have dated the victim’s mother.
Late Wednesday evening, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office announced that Rivera is still at large, days after the fatal shooting took place early Monday morning. Rivera has been charged with capital murder in connection with the case.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez revealed that Rivera and Carlos’ mother shared two children together. Deputies located a grey pickup truck believed to have been used by Rivera during the shooting incident. The HCSO warned the public that Rivera should be considered armed and dangerous.
According to Carlos’ relatives, Rivera had reportedly attacked the boy’s mother just days before the shooting. The tragic event unfolded when gunfire was directed through an open window into the bedroom where Carlos, his mother, her current boyfriend, and his younger sisters were sleeping.
The family of the victim spoke out about the lack of action taken by law enforcement following the previous attack on Carlos’ mother by Rivera. Despite multiple witnesses corroborating the assault, records indicate that no arrests were made at the time.
Court records also revealed that Rivera has a history of criminal activity, including a 2014 incident where he was arrested for strangling a family member. This incident resulted in a misdemeanor conviction after pleading guilty to a lesser charge. In 2023, Rivera was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, but once again, he pleaded down to a lesser offense.
Relatives described Carlos as a hardworking and caring individual who helped support his family by working as a landscaper and handyman. His family believes that he was targeted by Rivera due to his role as the man of the house.
The tragic loss of Carlos has left his family devastated, with loved ones expressing their grief and frustration over the preventable nature of the events leading to his death. The community is urged to provide any information that may lead to Rivera’s capture to ensure justice for Carlos Fernandez.