A teenager accused of shooting four other Garland teens in 2021 may have fled to Mexico, according to the FBI and Garland police. The agencies have offered a reward of up to $70,000 for information that leads to his arrest.
Abel Elias Acosta, who was 14 at the time, is wanted on capital murder charges in Dallas County tied to the deadly shooting. FBI Special Agent in Charge Joe Rothrock said authorities hope the reward will lead to Acosta's arrest and prosecution.
"We owe it to the community here in Garland and we owe to the victim's family to do everything we can, not just in law enforcement, but in this community, to bring justice to those victim's families,” said Rothrock.
In December 2021, responding officers found four victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Three teens ages 14, 16 and 17 died at the scene, while a fourth victim survived after being hospitalized with critical injuries.
Investigators later identified Acosta, now 18, as the suspected gunman. Surveillance footage showed a person exiting a pickup truck, opening fire within seconds, and then fleeing the scene in the same vehicle.
Acosta has not been seen since the night of the shooting. Investigators believe he crossed into Mexico shortly after the attack and may still be there.
In addition to a state warrant for capital murder, a federal warrant was issued in January charging Acosta with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
The case has already led to one conviction. Acosta's father, Richard Acosta, was found guilty of capital murder for his role in driving the vehicle used in the shooting. He is serving a life sentence without parole.
Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela is KERA's breaking news reporter. Got a tip? Email Emmanuel at erivas@kera.org.
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