KEENE, TEXAS: A Texas boy, 12, has been charged with murder for fatally shooting a Sonic staff member with an assault rifle. Police found the victim, 32-year-old Matthew Davis, on the ground of a parking lot with several gunshot wounds. Davis' body was found at the Sonic Drive-In in Keene, 50 miles southwest of Dallas, on Saturay, May 13. He was pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital.
Angel Gomez, 20, is believed to be the driver of the boy and other passengers. The disorderly man was confronted by Davis after he urinated in the parking lot, police said, according to Daily Mail. During an argument that ensued between Davis and Gomez, the boy took the AR-15 rifle from the car and fired as many as six rounds at Davis.
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Gomez and the boy then fled the scene. Gomez was arrested when he returned to the Sonic later. The boy was detained at a house in Rio Vista, where several guns were found and seized. Both Gomez and the boy have been charged with murder. The child has not been named.
'A 12-year-old in this day has access to a gun'
Dylan Elliott, a nearby resident, said she heard gunfire followed by air ambulance. "I was outside. My fiance ran in the house, and I heard a bunch of gunshots," Elliott told Fox 4. "You see [helicopters] every once in a while, but you never see them flying this low and this close to home at least. A 12-year-old in this day has access to a gun and kills someone. Breaks my heart mainly."
A Sonic spokesman said, "We are saddened to learn about the tragedy involving a franchised team member in Keene, TX. The franchisee is cooperating fully with local authorities as they conduct their investigation."
Who was Matthew Davis?
Davis was the son of flight attendant Leigh Anne, and left behind a 10-year-old son, according to a GoFundMe set up after his murder. "With sad hearts, we come to you today to ask for your help. One of our beloved flight attendants, Leigh Anne, has suffered a devastating loss. Her eldest son, Matthew, was tragically shot multiple times while at work. He was airlifted to the hospital and where he was pronounced deceased. Leigh Anne received this sorrowful and heartbreaking news while she was on an overnight. We can only try to comprehend it," the GoFundMe reads.
"Mathew leaves behind an impressable 10-year-old son. Leigh Anne is a strong woman of faith, dedicated and hardworking. It is imperative that we come together to support her during this unimaginable time of loss. Please consider donating any amount to help ease the financial burden for the final arrangements that this horrific act of violence has caused. We thank you in advance for your kindness and contributions to our friend and co-worker. We ask that you remember Leigh Anne and her loved ones in your prayers as they go through this trying time," it adds. At the time of writing this article, $22,495 had been raised of the $16,500 goal.
Davis' aunt, Lynne Barton, wrote on Facebook, "It is with deep sadness that I share my family has had a major loss this Mother's Day. My best friend and sister has just lost her son due to a unspeakable tragedy. Her son was shot while at work , while trying to earn a living. Please share this as we are trying to get enough money to put our beloved son, brother, nephew and friend to rest."
One must be 18 years of age to buy a handgun or long gun under Texas law. However, there is no minimum age for possession of a firearm. For a gun to be sold or given to a minor as a gift, legal guardians can give written permission. People aged 21 and above can carry a handgun in public without a license.
