HOUSTON – It’s been two years since 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez was shot and killed outside of a Chase Bank in Southeast Houston, and authorities say there are new details in the case.
Back in 2022, Arlene was with her family at the bank, heading to a Valentine’s Day dinner, when police say 41-year-old Tony Earls mistook the truck she was riding in as that of a man who robbed him and his wife at the ATM drive-thru.
KPRC 2′s T.J. Parker said that the District Attorney’s Office didn’t go into too much detail but said that a special prosecutor has been appointed to the case.
According to police, the alleged gunman, Tony Earls, was with his wife at the ATM on Woodridge when a man came up to them and robbed Earls and his wife. When that man took off, Earls reportedly started shooting at him and also shooting at a truck he thought he had gotten into.
However, it was not the correct vehicle.
Instead, five members of the Alvarez family were in it including 9-year-old Arlene who was in the backseat.
She was shot and later died.
Earls was eventually charged with aggravated assault with serious bodily injury.
If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers Houston at (713) 222-8477.