Texas 12-year-old accused of murdering Sonic employee with AR style weapon

A 12-year-old boy from Texas was charged with murder after he allegedly killed a Sonic employee, authorities said on Sunday. 

The boy arrived at the Sonic Drive-In in the 200 block of S. Old Betsy in Keene, Texas, about 45 miles southwest of Dallas, with 20-year-old Angel Gomez on Saturday night. A Sonic employee, identified as Matthew Davis, 32, confronted Gomez after he was “being disorderly in the parking lot” and urinated on the premises, police said. 

The argument between the two escalated and became physical. The 12-year-old boy, who was a passenger in the car, allegedly pulled out an AR-style weapon and fired at Davis at least six times, according to the Keen Police Department. Gomez and the 12-year-old, fled the scene, leaving Davis on the ground of the Sonic parking lot suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 

Police responded to the scene at about 9:40 p.m., according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Davis was having a hard time breathing and was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers from the Keene Fire Department treated him at the scene and he was eventually airlifted to Harris Methodist Hospital, where he died during surgery. 

Gomez returned to the scene of the crime, where police arrested him on murder charges. The 12-year-old boy, who has not been named by authorities because of his age, was found about 15 miles away in Rio Vista. He was taken into custody and placed in detention in Granbury. Police also recovered several firearms. 

The incident is still under investigation by Keene police officers and detectives. 

Davis left behind a 10-year-old son, according to a GoFundMe set up by his family to support his funeral costs. The fundraiser has since raised more than $10,000. 

“We were 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," Sonic said in a statement.