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Yahoo
19 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Funeral Remembers Grapevine Lake Victim Ava Moore With Full Military Honors
Ava Moore, the 18-year-old victim of a jet ski on Grapevine Lake, received full military honors at her funeral over the weekend. Moore's funeral took place at The Met Church in Fort Worth at 3:30 p.m. on May 31, according to a statement from Amanda McNew, media manager for Grapevine Police. Since Moore was preparing for the Air Force Academy, as The Dallas Express previously reported, the United States Air Force gave her '[f]ull military honors' outside the church at the end of the service. 'The family has asked for privacy as they grieve the loss of their daughter,' McNew wrote in the statement. 'Ava's loss has been deeply felt throughout our community.' Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, a Republican, posted on X in honor of Moore. 'Ava Moore's Coming Home memorial was held today along with full military honors,' the congresswoman wrote. 'May she rest in peace and her family be blessed by her wonderful memory.' Kayakers met on Grapevine Lake on May 31 to remember Moore, scattering pedals on the water in her honor. Soon after the tragedy, Moore's family emphasized faith and forgiveness, as The Dallas Express reported. 'This is a difficult time for all involved, but also an opportunity for our beautiful girl to continue to impact our community,' her family said in a statement at the time. 'Out of this tragedy, God will make good, and that only can be accomplished through forgiveness.' While Moore was kayaking on Grapevine Lake during Memorial Day weekend, she was struck and killed by a jet ski allegedly operated by Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez, an illegal alien from Venezuela, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. The man who allegedly helped her flee the scene – committing a hit-and-run in the process – is Maikel Coello Perozo, another illegal alien from Venezuela. Under former President Joe Biden's administration, they unlawfully crossed the border in 2023, and officials captured and then released both of them. Gonzalez and Perozo fled the scene, sparking a multi-day manhunt. As The Dallas Express previously reported, police arrested them May 27 in Dallas. ICE lodged immigration holds with the suspects, who are now 'in removal proceedings.' They were initially held at the Grapevine Police Department but have since been transferred to the Tarrant County Jail. Gonzalez faces a manslaughter charge with a $500,000 bond, according to jail records. Perozo faces a charge of collision involving damage to a vehicle with a $2,500 bond and a charge of hindering apprehension/prosecution with a $750 bond. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott previously suggested the death penalty for the suspects, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott's press secretary, emphasized in an email to The Dallas Express that 'Texans deserve protection from unchecked criminal activity.' 'The State of Texas has no tolerance for heinous criminals who kill Texans,' Mahaleris said in an email. 'The victim's family deserves swift justice, and the criminal illegal immigrants should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.' McNew asked the media to respect Moore's family and their privacy during this difficult time. 'We ask all media outlets to honor that request with care and sensitivity,' she wrote. 'The Grapevine Police Department remains committed to supporting her family and thanks members of the media for their continued compassion and respect.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Texas lawmaker demands justice after Air Force cadet killed by illegal migrant suspects in hit-and-run
A Texas lawmaker is speaking out following the tragic death of an Air Force Academy cadet who was killed in a hit-and-run involving two migrant suspects in the country illegally. Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne, who had twice personally sponsored 18-year-old Ava Moore's application to the Air Force Academy, says the incident should never have happened and is demanding accountability. "I am still livid about what happened and why it happened," Van Duyne told "Fox & Friends" Friday. The Republican congresswoman says she's been in contact with border czar Tom Homan in the wake of the accident and is committed to securing justice for the victim's family. Ice Identifies Jet Ski Suspects In Air Force Cadet Candidate's Death As Illegal Immigrants Moore, a young cadet from Texas, was kayaking when she was allegedly struck by a jet ski operated by an illegal migrant. She was weeks away from leaving to start Air Force basic training. The Department of Homeland Security reports that the two migrants involved in the crash then fled the scene without offering help, leaving Moore to die. DHS has identified the suspects as being Daikerlyn Alejandraa Gonzalez-Gonzalez, who is said to have been driving the jet ski, and Maikel Alexander Coello-Perozo, both foreign nationals who entered the United States illegally in 2023 and were released under the Biden administration. Read On The Fox News App Texas Police Arrest Suspect After Fatal Jet Ski Hit-and-run After fleeing the scene, the suspects reportedly struck two vehicles while attempting to escape. Both were later taken into custody and ICE lodged immigration detainers to begin the removal process after criminal proceedings take place. Van Duyne described Moore as a "determined" leader and "a phenomenal woman" with a bright future ahead. She said while she is grateful the suspects have been apprehended, she believes the tragedy was avoidable. Heartbroken Mom Of Texas Murder Victim Breaks Down Over Migrant Crisis: 'You Took Away My Son!' "These two Venezuelan illegal immigrants who should never have been in our country," she said, "who just recklessly were on a jet ski and smashed into Ava as she was home with her family before she was getting ready to go to boot camp." "She was out on a kayak. She got hit and they just left her there in the water to die." Texas Lawmakers Demand Answers On Fatal Crash Allegedly Caused By Illegal Immigrant: 'Infuriating' One of the suspects is facing a second-degree felony manslaughter charge, while the other has been charged with misdemeanors of collision involving damage to a vehicle and hindering apprehension. Van Duyne said she's been in contact with Moore's family since her death, and that her father is turning to faith during the difficult time. "I said, 'I'm so angry about what happened, I'm so angry about it,'" she recalled. "And he said, 'I'm going to stop you there. I'm not [going to] be led by anger.' This is a tremendous man of faith, of kindness, of patience, and forgiveness. And he just said that is the way that Ava would want us to remember her."Original article source: Texas lawmaker demands justice after Air Force cadet killed by illegal migrant suspects in hit-and-run
Fox News
2 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Texas lawmaker demands justice after Air Force cadet killed by illegal migrant suspects in hit-and-run
A Texas lawmaker is speaking out following the tragic death of an Air Force Academy cadet who was killed in a hit-and-run involving two migrant suspects in the country illegally. Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne, who had twice personally sponsored 18-year-old Ava Moore's application to the Air Force Academy, says the incident should never have happened and is demanding accountability. "I am still livid about what happened and why it happened," Van Duyne told "Fox & Friends" Friday. The Republican congresswoman says she's been in contact with border czar Tom Homan in the wake of the accident and is committed to securing justice for the victim's family. Moore, a young cadet from Texas, was kayaking when she was allegedly struck by a jet ski operated by an illegal migrant. She was weeks away from leaving to start Air Force basic training. The Department of Homeland Security reports that the two migrants involved in the crash then fled the scene without offering help, leaving Moore to die. DHS has identified the suspects as being Daikerlyn Alejandraa Gonzalez-Gonzalez, who is said to have been driving the jet ski, and Maikel Alexander Coello-Perozo, both foreign nationals who entered the United States illegally in 2023 and were released under the Biden administration. After fleeing the scene, the suspects reportedly struck two vehicles while attempting to escape. Both were later taken into custody and ICE lodged immigration detainers to begin the removal process after criminal proceedings take place. Van Duyne described Moore as a "determined" leader and "a phenomenal woman" with a bright future ahead. She said while she is grateful the suspects have been apprehended, she believes the tragedy was avoidable. "These two Venezuelan illegal immigrants who should never have been in our country," she said, "who just recklessly were on a jet ski and smashed into Ava as she was home with her family before she was getting ready to go to boot camp." "She was out on a kayak. She got hit and they just left her there in the water to die." One of the suspects is facing a second-degree felony manslaughter charge, while the other has been charged with misdemeanors of collision involving damage to a vehicle and hindering apprehension. Van Duyne said she's been in contact with Moore's family since her death, and that her father is turning to faith during the difficult time. "I said, 'I'm so angry about what happened, I'm so angry about it,'" she recalled. "And he said, 'I'm going to stop you there. I'm not [going to] be led by anger.' This is a tremendous man of faith, of kindness, of patience, and forgiveness. And he just said that is the way that Ava would want us to remember her."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Grapevine Lake fatal crash: Military funeral honors given to victim, 18, in Fort Worth
The Brief A funeral with full military honors was held in Fort Worth on Saturday for Ava Moore, an 18-year-old killed in a Memorial Day jet ski hit-and-run on Grapevine Lake. Moore, a U.S. Air Force Academy preparatory school graduate, was weeks away from basic training when she was struck by a speeding jet ski while kayaking. Two individuals, Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez and Maikel Coello Perozo, have been arrested in connection with Moore's death. FORT WORTH, Texas - The funeral for an 18-year-old North Texas girl killed in a tragic jet ski hit-and-run on Grapevine Lake Memorial Day weekend was held in Fort Worth on Saturday. The family requested privacy and didn't speak on camera as they continue to grieve the loss of Ava Moore. But from FOX 4's vantage point, we could see the large crowd of people and members of the military in uniform, and it was obvious that Moore impacted many people in her short life. The Latest Full military funeral honors were given to an 18-year-old who was ready to dedicate her life to her country. On Saturday afternoon, family and friends gathered to honor the life of Moore at her family's church, Met Church in Fort Worth. The front entrance of the church was overflowing with people as they watched the military give its final sendoff. Moore's casket left with a police escort, with her family close behind. The backstory The U.S. Air Force Academy preparatory school graduate was hit by a speeding jet ski while kayaking on Grapevine Lake over Memorial Day weekend. She later died of her injuries. Moore was just weeks away from heading off to basic training. Dig deeper Grapevine Police arrested Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez and Maikel Coello Perozo in connection with the crime. Police say Gonzalez was driving the jet ski, and Perozo helped her flee the scene. The 21-year-olds are on an immigration hold, as they're both Venezuelan nationals who entered the country illegally, according to officials. A judge set bond for Gonzalez at $500,000 and a little more than $3,000 for Perozo, but even if they did post bail, they would remain in custody because of their immigration status. Gonzalez is charged with manslaughter. Perozo faces multiple misdemeanor charges, including hindering apprehension and an accident involving damage to a vehicle. Police say he was involved in a crash while fleeing the scene. The Source Information in this article came from FOX 4 coverage at Ava Moore's funeral and previous FOX 4 reporting.
Fox News
3 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Law enforcement reps 'disgusted' after illegal alien allegedly kills Air Force recruit: 'There will be others'
Advocates for police and border patrol lambasted what they said were open border policies that allowed an illegal alien suspected of killing an Air Force recruit into the country in the first place. Joe Gamaldi, national vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, said he was disgusted to learn 18-year-old Ava Moore, a Texas native who was about to begin cadet training at the United States Air Force Academy, was allegedly killed by someone who shouldn't have been in the United States in the first place. "How many cases do we have to see where people who should not have been in this country in the first place end up causing the death or murdering someone else, someone who is here legally in this country?" he asked. "How many families have to be ripped apart? How? How much trauma do we have to take from people who should not be here in the first place?" Moore was a star basketball player at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado whose goal was to become a four-star general. Gamaldi was incredulous at open border advocates watching Americans die at the hands of noncitizens who continue to fight President Donald Trump's closed border policies and deportation efforts. He also warned that, given the number of illegal aliens who entered the country during the Biden administration, he expects more American deaths at the hands of unknown foreigners. "I think they completely ignore the crime and chaos that a number of illegal immigrants bring to our communities," Gamaldi said. "And the most frustrating part, from law enforcement's perspective, and from the victim's perspective and their families', is that the crimes that are committed are avoidable. How many people have to die before the other side says enough?" He also slammed "radical ideologue" judges he said are blocking Trump from carrying out the will of his voters. "They're a disgrace to this country, a disgrace to the robes they wear, and they should resign in shame for what they are doing, politicizing this issue," he said. "They have no business sitting on the bench, and I'm certainly hoping that there will be every action taken to remove them from their positions because all they are at this point are radical ideologues. They're not judges, they're a joke." Art Del Cueto is the vice president of the National Border Patrol Council, a union that represents 18,000 U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. Like Gamaldi, he believes the damage from the previous administration's open border policies isn't over. "Another senseless death," he said. "I think that, unfortunately, though, there will be others. We don't know how many people are in the country illegally. And, yes, it could've been someone that's legally in the U.S., but in this case it wasn't. It was somebody that should not have been in the country to begin with. Unfortunately, there's too many politicians that continue to put obstacles from allowing law enforcement to do their job." Daikerlyn Alejandraa Gonzalez-Gonzalez, 22, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, a felony, for allegedly striking and killing Moore while riding a jet ski on Lake Grapevine in Texas last weekend. Maikel Coello Perozo, 21, is accused of picking Gonzalez-Gonzalez up and fleeing. Authorities allege Perozo hit another vehicle while speeding off. He has been charged with a collision involving damage to a vehicle and hindering apprehension, both misdemeanors. Police reportedly found packed suitcases in the home where Gonzalez-Gonzalez and Perozo were arrested. They were identified as illegal aliens from Venezuela by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement Wednesday. Trump's Department of Homeland Security also slammed Biden's border policies in a post on X. "Ava Moore was a patriot serving her country when she was killed by an illegal alien in a hit-and-run over Memorial Day weekend. This senseless tragedy was 100 percent preventable," the post said. "Daikerlyn Gonzalez and Maikel Perozo entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 and were released into our interior," the post added. "The previous administration's open border policies have cost too many Americans their lives. President Trump and Secretary Noem will continue to stand with victims of illegal alien crime and their families." Moore's becomes yet another high-profile death allegedly at the hands of an illegal alien. Jose Ibarra, also from Venezuela, was convicted last year of murdering Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, while she was jogging on the University of Georgia campus. Jocelyn Nungaray, 12, who lived in the Houston area, was sexually assaulted and strangled to death last year, allegedly by two Venezuelan illegal aliens accused of being members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The suspects in that case are Franklin Jose Pena Ramos and Johan Jose Rangel Martinez. Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old New Jersey mother of five, was killed by Salvadoran illegal alien Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez in 2023. A jury found Martinez-Hernandez guilty of Morin's murder in April.
