Man Charged with Murder for Tragic Death of 9-Year-Old Texas Girl

Back on the night of February 14, 2022, Tony Earls was at Chase Bank in Houston. Suddenly, Earls was held at gunpoint and robbed. As the robber began to run out of the bank, Earls made his move.

Earls pulled out his gun and began to shoot at the suspect. Meanwhile, nearby, a family inside a truck was on their way to get pizza. The robber ran past the truck as Earls continued to fire shots. One of the bullets struck the truck and tragically hit 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez, killing her.

 “Even though it’s been two years, it still feels like it was yesterday,” Gwen Alvarez, the child’s mother said in a press conference.

33-year-old Earls was originally arrested and charged with aggravated assault, however, he was later released. Now, prosecutors are looking back into this peculiar case.

“This case is not typical. This is not a case where the perpetrator set out to kill someone that night,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg explained.

Get our free mobile app

While reviewing the case, it was determined that there was no justification for the shooting. According to experts on the case, Earls had a clear line of sight and there was never any type of indication that the suspect had any intention to get into the truck or have any type of involvement with that particular vehicle.

"The vehicle did not do anything to give Mr. Earls a justification to shoot into the passing vehicle,” Special Prosecutor Warren Diepraam said. Earls has been indicted on murder charges for the death of the innocent 9-year-old girl.

“It brings us a little comfort that we have been on the first step of receiving justice for my daughter,” Gwen Alvarez said.