A Texas lawmaker is demanding justice after an Air Force cadet was killed in a hit-and-run allegedly caused by illegal immigrants, escalating political outrage over U.S. border policies.
At a Glance
- Ava Moore, 18, was killed in a jet ski hit-and-run while kayaking on Lake Grapevine, Texas
- Venezuelan nationals Daikerlyn Gonzalez and Maikel Perozo, both in the U.S. illegally, are charged in connection
- Gonzalez faces felony manslaughter; Perozo is accused of hindering apprehension
- Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne and Gov. Greg Abbott have publicly condemned the incident
- The case has intensified debate over immigration enforcement and accountability
Tragic Death on Lake Grapevine
Ava Moore, an 18-year-old Air Force Academy Preparatory School graduate, was kayaking on Lake Grapevine during Memorial Day weekend when she was fatally struck by a jet ski. Authorities allege that the jet ski was operated by Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez, who fled the scene alongside Maikel Coello Perozo.
Both suspects are Venezuelan nationals who entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 and were released pending immigration proceedings, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Watch a report: Texas lawmaker demands justice after Air Force cadet killed by illegal migrant suspects in hit-and-run.
The suspects were later arrested in Dallas, where they were reportedly found with packed suitcases, raising suspicion they intended to flee. Gonzalez has been charged with second-degree felony manslaughter, while Perozo faces charges for hindering apprehension and failure to stop and render aid, according to local law enforcement reports.
Political Outcry and Legal Fallout
Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne, who supported Moore’s application to the Air Force Academy, has led calls for accountability, criticizing federal immigration policies that allowed the suspects to remain in the country. “This never should have happened,” she told Fox News.
Governor Greg Abbott escalated the rhetoric further, declaring, “Here’s your death penalty,” in a controversial social media post, as reported by the Times of India. Critics, including immigrant advocacy groups like FIEL Houston, have condemned Abbott’s remarks as inflammatory and dangerous, according to the Houston Chronicle.
ICE has confirmed that detainers have been issued for both individuals. If convicted, they will be processed for removal after serving their sentences.
A National Flashpoint
The case has become a lightning rod in ongoing national debates over immigration enforcement, with some calling for stricter vetting and others warning against the politicization of a tragedy. Moore’s family, while grieving privately, has encouraged the public to honor her memory through compassion and service, noting her commitment to leadership and national duty.
As public attention swells, the outcome of this case could influence how state and federal agencies approach immigration enforcement, criminal accountability, and the broader political rhetoric surrounding border policy.
