HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A 12-year-old boy is now dead after reportedly being shot in east Harris County early Monday morning.
The shooting took place at an apartment complex in the 13920 block of Alderson Street in the Cloverleaf area.
According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, deputies responded to a unit at the apartment around 3 a.m.
Gonzalez said it appeared that the shooter went up to a window and opened fire directly into the bedroom of a small, corner unit.
There were reportedly two other children, ages 6 and 7, and two adults in the room at the time of the shooting. They were unharmed.
The 12-year-old boy, who has been identified as Carlos Fernandez, was struck by gunfire and pronounced dead at the scene.
“Any time it involves a child, it just hurts a little bit more,″ Gonzalez said. “Just heartbreaking, thinking that this child would probably be getting ready for school very soon. And unfortunately, that’s not going to happen.”
Deputies said that the suspect fled the area in a pickup truck following the shooting.
At this time, the relationship between the shooter and Carlos is unknown however investigators believe this was a targeted situation.
@HCSOTexas units responded to an apt unit at 13921 Alderson. It appears a suspect fired shots into the unit, striking a 12-year-old child. The child was pronounced deceased. The suspect fled the scene. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/MBiks9cPvY
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) March 4, 2024