HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – The man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend’s 12-year-old son as he slept last week inside an east Harris County apartment is no stranger to violent crimes.
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According to court documents, 27-year-old Terry Bryan Rivera’s first run-in with the law was back in 2014 for possession of marijuana. That charge was dismissed and three months later, he was charged with misdemeanor assault on a family member. Records indicate that he put his hands around the victim’s neck and applied pressure in that case.
The following year, in 2015, he was arrested after being accused of discharging a firearm in a metro area. In 2017, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, weighing more than four grams. That case was again, dismissed.
His next charge related to violence happened in 2018 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. That was a felony case where the judge set his bond at $30,000.
Last year, in 2023, Rivera was charged twice. One of his charges was a misdemeanor charge for the unlawful carrying of a weapon/gun in a motor vehicle. The other was a terroristic threat charge.
On March 4, investigators with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said Rivera reportedly went to his ex-girlfriend’s house armed with a gun. Officials believe Rivera intentionally opened gunfire directly into the window of the corner bedroom where three children slept.
Carlos was the only child shot and killed. The two other children, both young girls, were unharmed and are believed to be Rivera’s biological children.
SEE ALSO: Mom’s ex-boyfriend accused of shooting 12-year-old to death in east Harris County
It is unclear at this time where Carlos’ biological father was at the time of the shooting.
Rivera is now wanted for capital murder in regard to this case. Additionally, Rivera’s mother, who is an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, was arrested after she allegedly texted someone following the deadly shooting and asked them to help with her son’s escape.
At this time, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez is warning the public that Rivera should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the HCSO Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
The funeral for little Carlos took place on Monday morning.