Dad guilty of murder after being driver for son, 14, 'who shot dead three teens'
A dad has been found guilty of murder after being the getaway driver for his 14-year-old son "who shot dead three teens."
Richard Acosta, 34, from Texas, US, was convicted of capital murder on Friday for the shootings of Xavier Gonzalez, 14, Ivan Noyala, 16, and Rafael Garcia, 17, on December 26, 2021.
A 15-year-old boy was also injured in the attack but has since made a recovery.
Mr Acosta now faces life without parole because prosecutors did not seek the death penalty.
The 34-year-old was convicted under a Texas law that allows accomplices to be charged even if they did not commit the actual crime.
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His runaway son Abel Acosta has also been charged with capital murder.
The dad told the jury he did not know his son, Abel, had a gun or had shot anyone when the teenager got into his car and told him to drive away because of an active shooter.
Richard Acosta has been convicted of capital murder (Uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock)
Abel Acosta remains on the run (Garland Police Department)His son fled shortly after the shooting and authorities say he remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
Police said at the time of the shooting they believed it was a targeted attack.
In a statement they said: “The shooting appears to be in retaliation from a previous disturbance and was believed to be a targeted attack on one or more of the persons inside the store.”
Prosecutors argued that Richard Acosta sought to dispose of evidence and tried to move his family from Garland.
He surrendered to police days after the shooting and was indicted nearly a year ago.
Garland Police Department confirmed they continuing in their search for Abel and won't stop until he is found.
In a statement police said: "We are only halfway to justice. We will not stop until Abel Acosta is captured.”
Dad Richard told the court he does not know where his son is.
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Garland police are still offering a $10,000 (£8,000) reward for information about the whereabouts of Abel Acosta, who is charged with capital murder.
Authorities decided to release the teen's information due to the potential risk he poses to the public.
Garland Police said: “It is typically not the practice of the Garland Police Department to release juvenile information.
"But due to the nature of the offences and potential risk to the public, the court has authorised the release of his information."
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