HOUSTON — On the two-year mark of Arlene Alvarez's death, her family and the community came together with emotional tributes.
Earlier in the day, the family held a special tribute mass in her honor at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Afterward, dozens gathered at Arlene's grave in southeast Houston for a special dove release. Beautiful white birds flew up into the sky to honor and celebrate Arlene's life.
Arlene was the nine-year-old girl who was shot and killed on Feb. 14, 2022, as she and her family were headed to Spanky's Pizza to celebrate Valentine's Day.
Just moments before Arlene was shot and killed, Tony Earls and his wife were robbed at a drive-thru ATM near the intersection of Winkler and Woodridge Drive. They said the robber took their keys, wallets and cash before running off.
Earls got out of the car and fired shots at what he thought was the robber's vehicle, but he was wrong. He actually fired shots at the Alvarez family vehicle and a bullet struck Arlene, who was sitting in the backseat.
In July 2022, a Harris County grand jury declined to indict Earls, but now, a special prosecutor is looking into the case based on new information.
Arlene's mom, Gwen, said the pain of Arlene's death is just as strong, but so is her renewed commitment to justice.
"We're never going to give up on her," Gwen said. "By receiving justice for her, it's going to give us a little bit of peace. It's not going to make up for her coming back to us."
Arlene's family maintains what Earls did was not only wrong, but criminal. They're hopeful this new information could lead to a different outcome and justice for their daughter.