GARLAND, Texas — Garland police continue to search for 14-year-old Abel Acosta. The teen is accused of opening fire at the Texaco gas station on West Walnut Street the day after Christmas, killing three teens and injuring another. Police say he is armed and dangerous.
A lawyer representing his father, who is facing a murder charge, says that he didn't know his son had a gun on him.
Police said the father, Richard Acosta Jr., 33, who was arrested Tuesday, was the getaway driver in the shooting. In surveillance video, the shooter could be seen shirtless, getting out of a white pickup truck and going to the front door of the store, where he fired his weapon. Richard and Abel are facing capital murder charges.
Last week, police said the shooting was spurred by a previous disturbance between Abel Acosta and one of the victims inside the convenience store.
The victims were identified as 14-year-old Xavier Gonzalez, 16-year-old Ivan Noyala and 17-year-old Rafael Garcia.
On Tuesday, WFAA talked to the lawyer who is representing the father of the teen, who says, "Dad had no idea his son had a gun on him."
Reporter Malini Basu: "He had no idea that his son had a gun on him?"
"No, that’s my understanding, [he] did not,” said attorney Heath Harris, who is representing Richard Acosta.
Surveillance video showed Richard Acosta walking into the convenience store prior to the shooting. He then got back in his truck and circled the parking lot.
Harris claimed that Richard and son Abel stopped at Kroger, then stopped at the Texaco to buy medicine.
“Comes back out. At that time, his son says he needs to go in,” Harris said.
Seconds later, police said, Abel got out, and opened fire inside of the store.
RELATED: Police name different 14-year-old as suspect in Garland shooting, say he's armed and dangerous
“He’s about to get on the phone with his wife, son is supposed to run in and come back out. Next thing you know, he hears shots, and ducks down,” Harris said.
And as the son ran back to the truck...
“Go, go, go, because they don’t know who is shooting. His son is breathing heavy, “ Harris said.
The father and son drove home, and started watching the news. Harris said Richard turned himself into authorities after watching the news.
And a question remains.
“Did dad ever know that his son owned a gun? That I don’t know," Harris said. "I just know that he didn’t know that he had a gun when he went to the store."
Harris claimed that Abel was bullied in school over and over again.
“He made several complaints about it,” Harris said.
As Garland police are trying to figure out if those are the victims involved, all of the families are left grieving.
“Tragic, tragic situation,” said Harris.
Anyone who sees Acosta or knows his whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.
Garland Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. And in addition, police said Jerry Reynolds, president of Car Pro Radio Network and owner of KPIR, has offered an additional $5,000 – making the total reward $10,000.
Crime Stoppers tips can be submitted by phone at 972-272-8477 or on the Garland Crime Stoppers website.
The arrest affidavit for Richard Acosta can be read in full below.