Texas governor Greg Abbott called for the death penalty for two illegal immigrants accused in the hit-and-run death of 18-year-old Ava Moore, a newly enlisted US Air Force recruit, who was killed while kayaking on Grapevine Lake during Memorial Day weekend.
“Welcome to Texas. Here’s your death penalty,” the Republican governor posted on X, alongside a video news report covering the arrests of Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez and Maikel Perozo, both originally from Venezuela.
Moore had just graduated from the US Air Force Academy Preparatory School and was preparing to begin basic training. She had been spending the holiday weekend with her family in North Texas when the tragic crash occurred on Sunday evening, the New York Post reported.
According to an arrest affidavit seen by Fox 4, Gonzalez was allegedly operating a jet ski recklessly along the lake’s shoreline before colliding with Moore’s kayak. Witnesses described the vehicle making multiple dangerous passes before the fatal impact. Gonzalez then fled the scene with Perozo in a blue Toyota Corolla, reportedly striking two other vehicles as they escaped. The other woman on the jet ski remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
Following a standoff at a home in the Dallas area, both suspects were arrested on Tuesday. Gonzalez has been charged with second-degree felony manslaughter and is being held on a $500,000 bond. Perozo, who was allegedly driving the getaway vehicle, faces charges related to leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, with further charges anticipated.
Neither suspect currently faces a capital felony charge as of now.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton confirmed both suspects are in the US illegally, adding, “Ava Moore’s senseless death was caused by an illegal alien who should have never been in our country in the first place. My heart breaks for Ava’s family and friends, and my prayers are with them as they face this tragedy.”
Tributes have poured in for Moore, whose ambition and spirit were remembered by those who knew her.
“We lost an exemplary teammate this weekend – Cadet Candidate Ava Moore, whose passion for leadership and service left an impact on everyone she met,” said Lt Gen Tony Bauernfeind, Superintendent of the US Air Force Academy. “Her constant happiness and attitude helped her squadron get through the challenges of the Prep School.”
Ke’sha Blanton, Moore’s basketball coach, also paid tribute: “She talked all year about becoming a four-star general one day because she loved it. She made those around her better.”
Investigations are ongoing.
“Welcome to Texas. Here’s your death penalty,” the Republican governor posted on X, alongside a video news report covering the arrests of Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez and Maikel Perozo, both originally from Venezuela.
Moore had just graduated from the US Air Force Academy Preparatory School and was preparing to begin basic training. She had been spending the holiday weekend with her family in North Texas when the tragic crash occurred on Sunday evening, the New York Post reported.
According to an arrest affidavit seen by Fox 4, Gonzalez was allegedly operating a jet ski recklessly along the lake’s shoreline before colliding with Moore’s kayak. Witnesses described the vehicle making multiple dangerous passes before the fatal impact. Gonzalez then fled the scene with Perozo in a blue Toyota Corolla, reportedly striking two other vehicles as they escaped. The other woman on the jet ski remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
Following a standoff at a home in the Dallas area, both suspects were arrested on Tuesday. Gonzalez has been charged with second-degree felony manslaughter and is being held on a $500,000 bond. Perozo, who was allegedly driving the getaway vehicle, faces charges related to leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, with further charges anticipated.
Neither suspect currently faces a capital felony charge as of now.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton confirmed both suspects are in the US illegally, adding, “Ava Moore’s senseless death was caused by an illegal alien who should have never been in our country in the first place. My heart breaks for Ava’s family and friends, and my prayers are with them as they face this tragedy.”
Tributes have poured in for Moore, whose ambition and spirit were remembered by those who knew her.
“We lost an exemplary teammate this weekend – Cadet Candidate Ava Moore, whose passion for leadership and service left an impact on everyone she met,” said Lt Gen Tony Bauernfeind, Superintendent of the US Air Force Academy. “Her constant happiness and attitude helped her squadron get through the challenges of the Prep School.”
Ke’sha Blanton, Moore’s basketball coach, also paid tribute: “She talked all year about becoming a four-star general one day because she loved it. She made those around her better.”
Investigations are ongoing.
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