Terry Rivera pleaded guilty to capital murder and received a 50-year prison sentence for the March 4, 2024, shooting death of 12-year-old Carlos Fernandez in Cloverleaf, Harris County, Texas. Authorities say Rivera fired multiple rounds through a bedroom window after a confrontation outside the home. Rivera was arrested about a week later; the victim's mother says Carlos ran to protect her.
Texas Man Sentenced to 50 Years After Pleading Guilty in Fatal Shooting of 12-Year-Old
Carlos Fernandez, left, and Terry RiveraHarris County District Attorney's Office/Facebook; Cameron County Sheriff's Department
A Texas man, Terry Rivera, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to capital murder in the shooting death of 12-year-old Carlos Fernandez. The boy was killed on March 4, 2024, after someone fired multiple rounds through a bedroom window of the family's home in the Cloverleaf neighborhood of Harris County, Texas.
What Happened
Authorities say Rivera — who had previously dated the victim's mother and shared two children with her — dropped off his children at the woman's home on the night of the incident. According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, Rivera behaved confrontationally outside the residence; after the children were brought inside, he allegedly returned to his truck, retrieved a firearm and fired into the home through a window.
Victim and Family
The bullet struck Carlos Fernandez, 12, after he ran into the bedroom where his mother and sister had gone following a noise. Carlos' mother, Ashley Rostro, told KTRK she believes her son ran to protect her. "He's my protector," she said. "He ran in there trying to save me."
Arrest, Plea and Sentence
Rivera was arrested about a week after the March 4, 2024 shooting. On Jan. 20, 2026, he pleaded guilty to capital murder and was sentenced to 50 years in prison, according to local reporting by KHOU, Fox 26 and KTRK and statements from the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
Sources: KHOU, Fox 26, KTRK, Harris County Sheriff's Office
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