On November 3, 2025, William Aguilar, 20, pled guilty to Murder as part of a plea agreement and was sentenced to 45 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice by the Honorable Judge Phil Grant in the 9th District Court. The case stems from a tragic and deeply unsettling shooting that occurred on December 21, 2024, at an AutoZone store in Montgomery County. The victim, Carlos Perez, 19, was working at the store when Aguilar, a friend of the victim, entered and opened fire, taking his life in an unprovoked act of violence. Deputies with the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office responded within minutes, immediately securing the scene and identifying Aguilar as the shooter. He was taken into custody a short time later. Throughout the investigation, authorities found no apparent motive or explanation for why Aguilar targeted his friend, making the tragedy even more difficult for Perez’s family and the community to understand.
Under Texas law, the punishment range for Murder is 5 years to life in prison. Aguilar will be eligible for parole after serving half of his 45-year sentence. District Attorney Michael Holley expressed gratitude for the swift, coordinated work of law enforcement and prosecutors, and empathy for the victim’s loved ones
who have endured the unimaginable. The case was prosecuted by Chief Prosecutor Laura Bond, Assistant District Attorney for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office..
ORIGINAL STORY
On December 21, 2024, at approximately 9:50 AM, deputies with Constable Ryan Gable’s Office were dispatched to a disturbance at the AutoZone Auto Parts store located at 28803 Birnham Woods Dr. Witnesses at the scene reported hearing gunshots coming from within the store. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a male victim inside the store who had succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. A description of the alleged shooter was provided, leading to the swift apprehension of the suspect by Pct. 3 deputies and MCSO deputies in the nearby Legends Run subdivision.
Detectives from Pct. 3 arrived to conduct the investigation. It was determined that the victim was an employee of AutoZone. The suspect was identified as 19-year-old
from Spring, Texas. Following the preliminary investigation, Pct. 3 Detectives charged Aguilar with Murder, classified as a first-degree felony. He was subsequently transported to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Jail, where he is being held on a bond of $750,000. The investigation remains active and ongoing.Â
4 PM-At about 9:50 am Saturday Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constables Office responded to reported shots fired in the area of the Autozone at Birnhamwoods and SH 99. Units responded and found a male employee deceased in the store. There were no customers at the time, just employees and one customer in the parking lot about to enter. South Montgomery County Fire which is housed across the street responded along with MCHD. The male was pronounced deceased on the scene. Law enforcement was able to arrest a suspect, who matched the description, a short distance down the road. He was on foot. Montgomery County Precinct 3 Detectives arrived on the scene and began the investigation. They were assisted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit. Word spread quickly as employees gathered outside the barrier tape. A Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Chaplin responded to the scene to counsel the employees. Behind the Autozone is a daycare center which was closed today. However next door is the World Champion Center which was crowded with children practicing gymnastics. The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office is also assisting in the investigation. The victim was transported to the Montgomery County Forensic Center by Eickenhorst Funeral Directors, for autopsy. Officials hope to release additional information later today.
