A person charged with fatally taking pictures a 9-year-old lady claims it was a case of fallacious place, fallacious time, however the younger lady's mom dismissed his emotions of being "harmless" and criticized his skill to stay out of jail pending his trial.

Tony Earls opened hearth on the automotive 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez and her household have been driving in on Valentine's Day, pondering a person he thought robbed him was inside. Whereas the remainder of the household escaped the taking pictures unscathed, Arlene, who had headphones in on the time and did not hear her father's warning to "get down," was fatally shot within the head.

Earlier than the taking pictures, Earls was robbed at gunpoint at a Chase Financial institution and advised police he thought the suspect was contained in the Alvarez household truck, in keeping with Houston police. Earls was charged with aggravated assault with critical bodily harm and given a $100,000 bond. He posted it and was launched from jail on Thursday night time.

"The quantity of the bond, the $100,000, doesn't correlate with the ethical values in our group, which is to guard our kids," the household's lawyer advised KHOU. "In case you killed a baby on this group, and it was by intentional act, and it was reckless in nature, and we will present that on the possible trigger listening to, you should not have any bond."

tony earls houston
Tony Earls, 41, was launched on bond after allegedly fatally taking pictures a 9-year-old lady and his launch angered the lady's household.Houston Police Division

Armando Alvarez, Arlene's father, advised KHOU that they are persevering with to name consideration to her dying to "convey justice for all the youngsters who're dying at this time." He stated there are "criminals which can be popping out on bonds" that ought to probably stay in jail.

"I would like him to really feel what I really feel," Gwen Alvarez, Arlene's mom, advised KHOU. "He must be in jail. He must undergo the way in which I am struggling. I would like him in jail."

The household rejects Earls' argument that he was performing in response to against the law dedicated in opposition to him. Armando beforehand advised KHOU that it is "not self-defense" and criticized the choice to shoot at a truck simply because the suspect was passing it. Rick Ramos, the household's lawyer, additionally dismissed the self-defense case as a result of there was no "quick risk or worry" for his security.

Ramos stated at a press convention final week that additionally they plan to take authorized motion in opposition to Chase due to the shortage of safety on the financial institution.

"We're saddened by this tragic incident and provide our honest condolences to the Alvarez household. We're working carefully with native officers who're dealing with the investigation," the financial institution stated in an announcement.

At a rally in help of the household, Consultant Sheila Jackson Lee stated, "we can not have somebody taking pictures at a automobile taking the regulation into their fingers." Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner posted on Twitter that he cannot think about the household's "unfathomable grief' and known as Arlene the "harmless sufferer" who was caught within the crossfire.