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Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Grapevine Lake Death Exposes Dangers Of Possible Illegal Alien Gatherings
Before an illegal alien allegedly killed a woman on Grapevine Lake during Memorial Day weekend, likely Venezuelan crowds had been gathering at the location for 'months' with large amounts of alcohol, The Dallas Express has learned. 'It's kind of turned into kind of a big, big party,' said Raul Barraza, a nearby resident who frequents the location with his family, to The Dallas Express. 'Beer everywhere.' Barraza explained that he lives just minutes from Oak Grove Park in Grapevine, where Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez allegedly struck and killed 18-year-old Ava Moore with a jet ski on May 25, as The Dallas Express previously reported. Gonzalez fled the scene with Maikel Coello Perozo. Both suspects, 21, are illegal aliens from Venezuela, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. They were caught illegally crossing the southern border in 2023, but officials under President Joe Biden's administration released them at the time. The Texas Game Wardens and Grapevine Police Department captured the suspects on May 27 after a days-long manhunt. ICE has placed them on immigration holds, and they are now in 'removal proceedings.' Barraza told The Dallas Express that he and his family routinely visit the park where Moore lost her life. He said for months, from Katy's Woods to Oak Grove Park – where the tragedy occurred – 'it's madness' between Thursday and Sunday. 'We've kind of seen it from a distance the past couple months, and it just kind of gets crazy,' he said. 'It's almost turned into a party, dude. Beer everywhere.' Barraza's wife is from Colombia, so she recognized the crowds were speaking in accents described as 'definitely' from Venezuela – 'no doubt about it.' The park area by the baseball field is usually where 'all the commotion happens.' He said he has not seen any drug use but 'would not doubt it.' 'The lake is supposed to be a place where you go find some peace, get relaxed, get close to nature,' Barraza said. 'For a place that's always been kept clean, it's crazy seeing it just kind of get grimy.' He also said he has heard instances of men roaming the park, offering jet skis for rent to the 'big crowd.' The Dallas Express asked the Grapevine Police Department where the suspects got the jet ski, but Media Manager Amanda McNew directed inquiries to the Texas Game Wardens. Maggie Berger, public information officer for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – which oversees the game wardens – told The Dallas Express that officials are investigating the ownership of the jet ski Gonzalez was operating at the time. 'The Texas Game Warden Marine Theft Investigation Unit is looking into the ownership history of the personal watercraft,' Berger said. She also said she is 'unable to release any additional details relating to the ownership' of the jet ski due to the 'ongoing investigation.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Grapevine Lake Tragedy: Legacy Media Skirts Biden Admin's Release Of Alleged Killer
The illegal alien who allegedly killed a teen at Grapevine Lake was previously arrested and released during former President Joe Biden's administration, as reported by The Dallas Express. However, other local news outlets have largely overlooked this fact. After police arrested two suspects who allegedly fled after 18-year-old Ava Moore was killed on Grapevine Lake over Memorial Day weekend, officials announced they were illegal aliens who had been arrested – and released – under Biden's administration, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. The alleged killer, 21-year-old Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez – and the man who helped her escape, 21-year-old Maikel Coello Perozo – were illegal aliens from Venezuela. After Gonzalez allegedly killed Moore with a jet ski on May 25, Gonzalez and Perozo fled the scene. The Grapevine Police Department and Texas Game Wardens launched a multi-day manhunt and ultimately captured Gonzalez and Perozo on May 27. Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that day that Gonzalez and Perozo were illegal aliens 'who never should have been in our country in the first place.' On May 28, officials held a press conference and said the suspects were previously arrested and released when they illegally crossed the border under Biden's administration. The Dallas Express reported both stories soon after they broke. After Paxton announced the suspects were illegals, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram only once reported the news, the fact that the suspects were illegal aliens until the end of the article – key intel that possibly explains the suspects' motivation for fleeing. The outlet simply referred to them as 'undocumented immigrants.' Likewise, only one time did the Star-Telegram mention the fact that authorities previously arrested and released the suspects. This information appeared in a brief paragraph halfway down another article. The Dallas Morning News noted – briefly – that they were 'undocumented immigrant[s].' While the outlet has mentioned multiple times that they were in the country illegally, only – in the body of an article – did it report that authorities previously arrested, then released, Gonzalez and Perozo when they crossed the border illegally. Gonzales entered America illegally on September 28, 2023, and Perozo entered illegally on January 22, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday. Both were 'released by the previous administration into the country.' ICE has lodged immigration detainers with the suspects, and both are now 'in removal proceedings.' '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,' said DHS Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin in a press release. 'Daikerlyn Gonzalez and Maikel Perozo should have never been in our country and Ava Moore should be alive today preparing for the Air Force Academy. The previous administration's open border policies have cost too many Americans their lives.' The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has a history of left-leaning coverage. In March, it published an opinion piece claiming it is a 'blessing' to love America, but 'being proud of it is a dangerous curse.' '[T]he Fort Worth StarTelegram was purchased out of bankruptcy from a California company by a New Jersey hedge fund,' Chris Putnam, CEO of The Dallas Express, posted on X. 'There's nothing remotely Texan or Fort Worth about it.' The Dallas Morning News admitted to a in June 2024 when an editor published an opinion piece explaining why the outlet does not represent conservative viewpoints. As The Dallas Express reported at the time, the paper has published pieces criticizing Texas' 'harsh moves against transgender youth' and claiming tollways 'show little mercy for Texans of color.' Reacting to the editor's piece in The Dallas Morning News, the paper's readers echoed concerns about the paper's failure to represent conservative opinions. As The Dallas Express previously reported, one reader wrote, 'Being a conservative Republican and multi-decade subscriber and a carrier way back in high school, I was on the verge of canceling your paper because of this and rising subscription rates.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Arrests made in alleged hit-and-run that killed U.S. Air Force Academy cadet candidate
(GRAPEVINE, Texas) — The Texas Game Wardens, along with the Grapevine Police Department (GPD), said they have made arrests in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that happened over Memorial Day weekend. On Sunday, May 25, Texas Game Wardens responded to a water fatality involving a personal watercraft and a kayaker at Lake Grapevine, northwest of Dallas. Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) said two women in a personal watercraft allegedly hit and killed 18-year-old Ava Moore, a cadet candidate who had graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School on May 19 and had been accepted to join the Academy as a member of the Class of 2029. According to TPW, the personal watercraft was being driven at a high speed near the shoreline of Oak Grove Park when it collided with a kayak occupied by Moore. The driver, identified as 21-year-old Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, and the passenger initially left the scene, then later returned. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: USAFA cadet candidate killed in alleged hit-and-run while kayaking in Texas The passenger remained on the scene and spoke with police, while Gonzalez left in a vehicle with 21-year-old Maikel Coello Perozo. While the two were leaving the area, police said they hit two other vehicles. GPD is working on the case of the automobile crashes, while Texas Game Wardens investigated the boating incident. On Tuesday, May 27, Gonzalez and Perozo were arrested in Dallas. TPW said Gonzalez is facing charges of Manslaughter, and Perozo is facing charges of Collision Involving Damage to a Vehicle and Hindering Apprehension. 'We would like to take an opportunity to thank not only our local, state, and federal law enforcement officers but also the public for their support and vigilance in reporting information to the Grapevine Police Department's tip line,' said Texas Game Warden Captain Joseph Quintero. 'We received more than 900 tips from the public, which helped us provide a quick resolution to the family.' 'These arrests will not undo the heartbreak of losing Ava Moore, but we will continue to provide support to her family throughout the criminal justice process,' said Amanda McNew, Media Manager for the Grapevine Police Department. TPW said Enforcement Removal Operations Dallas filed immigration detainers with GPD following the arrests of Gonzalez and Coello, and both are in removal proceedings pursuant to the policies of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
3 days ago
Alleged jet ski driver booked on manslaughter in hit-and-run that killed Air Force Academy cadet candidate
The alleged driver of a jet ski that fatally collided with a U.S. Air Force Academy cadet candidate while she was kayaking has been booked for manslaughter in the "tragic, unnecessary death," authorities said Wednesday. Ava Moore, 18, was killed in a jet ski hit-and-run while kayaking on Grapevine Lake in north Texas on Sunday evening, authorities said. The jet ski was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time, according to Texas Game Warden Capt. Joseph Quintero. The suspected operator of the jet ski -- 21-year-old Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez -- fled the scene in a vehicle with Maikel Coello Perozo, also 21, authorities said. As they left, the vehicle collided with two other vehicles, Quintero said. Following a search for the suspects, both Gonzalez and Perozo were arrested on Tuesday, Quintero said, crediting "good hard detective work" and tips from the public with leading investigators to a home in Dallas where the two were located. Gonzalez has been booked on felony manslaughter charges in Moore's death, which is being investigated by the Texas Game Wardens, Quintero said. Perozo was charged with collision involving damage to a vehicle and hindering apprehension, both misdemeanors, Quintero said. The automotive hit-and-run is being investigated by the Grapevine Police Department. More charges could be filed amid the ongoing investigation, Quintero said. "The tragic, unnecessary death of anybody on the public waters of the state of Texas is something that we're always fighting to try to deter and stop from happening, and this is a great example of that," Quintero said during a press briefing on Wednesday. "It is a tragic, tragic situation, and I hope that people will take this and use this opportunity to not only remember Miss Moore, but also to remember to be safe on the public waters," he added. Quintero said investigators are looking into whether there was proper permitting to operate the jet ski and if alcohol was a factor. They are also reviewing footage from the scene. A female passenger on the jet ski who remained on shore after the collision has not been charged at this time, Quintero said. The nature of the relationship between Gonzalez and Perozo is unclear at this time, Quintero said. Both are undocumented Venezuelan nationals, according to Joshua Johnson, the acting field office director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Dallas. "It's my understanding both individuals crossed the southern border in 2023 or 2024," Johnson said at the press briefing. "They were arrested at the time of entry, processed for a notice to appear, and then released on their own recognizance." ICE has lodged immigration detainers for both and once the state case is complete, they will take custody of them and proceed with the immigration process, Johnson said. Moore had just graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School on May 19 and had accepted an appointment to join the academy as a member of the class of 2029, according to the school. Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind remembered her as an "exemplary teammate." "We lost an exemplary teammate this weekend -- Cadet Candidate Ava Moore, whose passion for leadership and service left an impact on everyone she met," Bauernfeind said in a statement. "Ava's constant happiness and attitude helped her squadron get through the challenges of the Prep School, and her drive to excel was on display as she sought out leadership positions to improve herself and her team." Moore's family expressed thanks for the messages of love, support and prayers they've received in a statement read on their behalf during Wednesday's briefing. "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. "Out of this tragedy, God will make good, and that only can be accomplished through forgiveness."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Alleged jet ski driver booked on manslaughter in hit-and-run that killed Air Force Academy cadet candidate
The alleged driver of a jet ski that fatally collided with a U.S. Air Force Academy cadet candidate while she was kayaking has been booked for manslaughter in the "tragic, unnecessary death," authorities said Wednesday. Ava Moore, 18, was killed in a jet ski hit-and-run while kayaking on Grapevine Lake in north Texas on Sunday evening, authorities said. The jet ski was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time, according to Texas Game Warden Capt. Joseph Quintero. The suspected operator of the jet ski -- 21-year-old Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez -- fled the scene in a vehicle with Maikel Coello Perozo, also 21, authorities said. As they left, the vehicle collided with two other vehicles, Quintero said. Following a search for the suspects, both Gonzalez and Perozo were arrested on Tuesday, Quintero said, crediting "good hard detective work" and tips from the public with leading investigators to a home in Dallas where the two were located. MORE: 2 arrested after jet ski hit-and-run death of Texas teen Gonzalez has been booked on felony manslaughter charges in Moore's death, which is being investigated by the Texas Game Wardens, Quintero said. Perozo was charged with collision involving damage to a vehicle and hindering apprehension, both misdemeanors, Quintero said. The automotive hit-and-run is being investigated by the Grapevine Police Department. More charges could be filed amid the ongoing investigation, Quintero said. "The tragic, unnecessary death of anybody on the public waters of the state of Texas is something that we're always fighting to try to deter and stop from happening, and this is a great example of that," Quintero said during a press briefing on Wednesday. "It is a tragic, tragic situation, and I hope that people will take this and use this opportunity to not only remember Miss Moore, but also to remember to be safe on the public waters," he added. Quintero said investigators are looking into whether there was proper permitting to operate the jet ski and if alcohol was a factor. They are also reviewing footage from the scene. A female passenger on the jet ski who remained on shore after the collision has not been charged at this time, Quintero said. MORE: Jet ski driver flees after killing 18-year-old kayaker in Texas: Police The nature of the relationship between Gonzalez and Perozo is unclear at this time, Quintero said. Both are undocumented Venezuelan nationals, according to Joshua Johnson, the acting field office director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Dallas. "It's my understanding both individuals crossed the southern border in 2023 or 2024," Johnson said at the press briefing. "They were arrested at the time of entry, processed for a notice to appear, and then released on their own recognizance." ICE has lodged immigration detainers for both and once the state case is complete, they will take custody of them and proceed with the immigration process, Johnson said. Moore had just graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School on May 19 and had accepted an appointment to join the academy as a member of the class of 2029, according to the school. Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind remembered her as an "exemplary teammate." "We lost an exemplary teammate this weekend -- Cadet Candidate Ava Moore, whose passion for leadership and service left an impact on everyone she met," Bauernfeind said in a statement. "Ava's constant happiness and attitude helped her squadron get through the challenges of the Prep School, and her drive to excel was on display as she sought out leadership positions to improve herself and her team." Moore's family expressed thanks for the messages of love, support and prayers they've received in a statement read on their behalf during Wednesday's briefing. "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. "Out of this tragedy, God will make good, and that only can be accomplished through forgiveness." Alleged jet ski driver booked on manslaughter in hit-and-run that killed Air Force Academy cadet candidate originally appeared on
