Houston, TX – A Texas man was found guilty of manslaughter in the tragic death of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez, who was killed while riding in a family vehicle on Valentine’s Day 2022. The verdict came after less than an hour of deliberation by the jury, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Incident Overview
On February 14, 2022, 35-year-old Tony Earls was at a Chase Bank ATM when an armed man attempted to rob him and his wife. Prosecutors say Earls fired shots at the fleeing robber and, tragically, toward a passing truck.
Arlene Alvarez was inside that truck with her family, on their way to a pizza dinner. She was sitting in the backseat wearing headphones and did not hear her father’s warnings to get down. Arlene was struck in the head and died the following day.
Earls’ Statement and Evidence
After the shooting, Earls called 911 and told the dispatcher:
“A guy pulled up. He put the gun up to my wife’s face. I had my gun in my waist. We played it cool, we gave him everything he needed, and when he got ready to leave, he started shooting. So I draw my gun and I shot back.”
However, prosecutors presented video evidence showing Earls as the only shooter. During closing arguments, a photo of Arlene taken hours before the shooting was shown to the jury to highlight the tragedy.
Prosecutors’ Argument
Prosecutor John Jordan emphasized the innocence of the family:
“There is a right for a family to be able to drive down the block on Valentine’s night. Have you thought about that? The day of love… They have a right not to have that man fire into his car because he’s pissed off. Make no mistake, that man was not fearful anymore. That man decided he was angry, and he was going to do something about it.”
Defense Position
Earls’ attorneys argued that the robber, who has not been arrested, was ultimately responsible for Arlene’s death.
“I’ve never heard the state give so much benefit of the doubt to an aggravated robber in this case, and the reason they are doing that is we know good and well the robber should be in this chair,” said Defense Attorney Ed McClees, pointing at his client.
Sentencing Phase
The sentencing phase of the trial began Wednesday, with Earls facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Victim Background
Arlene was a fourth-grade student at De Zavala Elementary School. Her obituary described her as a loving and caring child, who enjoyed spending time with family, helping her mother care for her baby brother, creating nail tutorial videos, and being the center of attention among her cousins.
“Arlene was the center of attention anywhere she went. A true angel,” the obituary said.
Conclusion
The conviction marks a somber reminder of the consequences of gun violence and the vulnerability of innocent bystanders. Families are urged to remain vigilant and prioritize safety during everyday activities.
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