HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A man has been indicted for the murder of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez in the Gulfgate area in 2022, announced the Harris County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday. The shooting occurred when Arlene and her family were on their way to get pizza on Valentine’s Day.
Tony Earls Jr. was at the Chase Bank when he was robbed at gunpoint around 9:30 p.m. He fired at the robber as they were running away, but unfortunately, several shots hit Arlene’s family’s truck, leading to her tragic death.
Originally charged with aggravated assault, Earls was released after a Harris County grand jury declined to indict him in July 2022. However, the case was reassessed two months ago by a special prosecutor assigned by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
The prosecutor argues that Earls had a clear line of sight and allegedly saw the robber pass by the Alvarez family’s truck. Furthermore, the expert opinion is that there was no justification for Earls to shoot into the passing vehicle.
Investigators are still working to identify and apprehend the robber involved in the initial incident. If found guilty of murder, Earls could face a sentence ranging from five years to life in prison.
New video footage shows the robbery at the Chase bank moments before the tragic shooting. This development adds to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings surrounding Arlene Alvarez’s death.