Law enforcement agencies in Texas have significantly increased the incentives for information leading to the capture of a fugitive wanted in connection with a triple homicide that occurred four years ago. The FBI Dallas field office and the Garland Police Department have announced a new reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Abel Elias Acosta.
The announcement, made during a news conference on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, signals a renewed push to bring closure to a case that has remained active since the day after Christmas in 2021. This additional FBI funding supplements an existing $20,000 offer from Garland Crime Stoppers, bringing the total potential reward for information regarding Acosta’s whereabouts to $70,000.
Abel Elias Acosta, who was 14 years classic at the time of the crime, is wanted in Dallas County on charges including the capital murder of multiple persons. He has remained at large for nearly four years, with investigators now believing the suspect has fled to and remains in Mexico.
The December 2021 Gas Station Shooting
The case stems from a violent encounter on December 26, 2021, at a Texaco convenience store and gas station located in the 700 block of West Walnut Street, near downtown Garland. According to police reports, Acosta opened fire from the front door of the establishment, striking four teenagers inside the store.
The attack resulted in the deaths of three teenagers: 14-year-old Xavier Gonzalez, 16-year-old Ivan Noyola, and 17-year-old Rafael Garcia. A fourth victim, 15-year-old David Humberto, who was working as a cook, survived the shooting but was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries according to NBC 5 Dallas.
Surveillance footage from the scene captured a man exiting a pickup truck and beginning to shoot before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle. Investigators identified the driver of the truck as the suspect’s father, 33-year-old Richard Acosta Jr. Unlike his son, Richard Acosta Jr. Turned himself in shortly after the killings and was subsequently indicted and convicted of capital murder for his role in the incident.
Escalating the Search for Abel Acosta
Despite a warrant for capital murder issued in 2021 and a subsequent federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, Abel Acosta has evaded capture. FBI Special Agent in Charge Joe Rothrock emphasized during the April 2026 press conference that the investigation has never ceased, but the announcement of the increased reward is an explicit acknowledgement that the public’s assistance is necessary to locate the suspect.
“Any piece of information you have, no matter how big or small, would be important to investigators,” Rothrock stated, adding that the effort is driven by a commitment to provide justice for the victims’ families and the Garland community.
The involvement of the FBI is critical given the belief that Acosta is currently in Mexico. The federal charge of “unlawful flight to avoid prosecution” allows federal authorities to pursue suspects who cross state or international borders to escape legal proceedings in the United States.
Key Case Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | December 26, 2021 |
| Location | Texaco, 700 block of West Walnut St, Garland, Texas |
| Total Reward | $70,000 ($50,000 FBI / $20,000 Crime Stoppers) |
| Primary Charges | Capital murder of multiple persons; Unlawful flight to avoid prosecution |
| Current Status | Fugitive; believed to be in Mexico |
Legal Implications and Community Impact
The pursuit of Abel Acosta highlights the complexities of prosecuting juvenile suspects who flee the jurisdiction. While his father was convicted for his role as the getaway driver, the primary shooter remains a fugitive. The transition from a local murder investigation to a federal manhunt underscores the severity of the charges and the resources being deployed to ensure the suspect is returned to the United States to face trial.
Garland Police Chief Jeff Bryan and FBI officials have stressed that the community’s role is vital. In cases involving international fugitives, tips from individuals who may have seen the suspect or have knowledge of their current residence in foreign countries often provide the breakthrough needed for extradition.
For those with information, law enforcement encourages contacting the FBI Dallas office or Garland Police Department. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and the reward is contingent upon information that leads directly to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
The next confirmed step in the process is the continued coordination between U.S. Federal authorities and Mexican officials to locate and extradite Acosta. There are currently no scheduled court dates for the suspect as he remains in fugitive status.
World Today Journal encourages readers to share this story to help spread awareness. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Abel Elias Acosta, please contact the FBI or local Garland authorities immediately.