12-year-old boy dies after wanted gunman fires shots into Cloverleaf-area apartment, deputies say

A tragic shooting claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy at an apartment in Cloverleaf overnight, as reported by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred just after 3 a.m. Monday at the Crossings at Alderson apartments on Alderson Street near Freeport Street, close to the North Shore Ninth Grade Campus. According to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the boy, identified as Carlos Fernandez by family members, was asleep in his bedroom with two other children, 6- and 7-year-old girls, when an assailant approached the bedroom window and opened fire. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

Family members described Carlos as a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin, and set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses. Investigators believe the shooting was targeted, and while sources informed that a suspect has been identified, the HCSO has not disclosed their name. Gonzalez expressed the heartbreak of such violence involving a child, emphasizing the urgency to apprehend the perpetrator and prevent further harm to the community.

The boy’s mother and another man were present in the apartment during the shooting, but neither sustained injuries. The suspect fled the scene, prompting deputies to search for a pickup truck spotted leaving the area. Surveillance footage from a nearby business captured a pickup truck speeding away from the complex around the time of the incident, although police have yet to confirm its involvement. Gonzalez lamented the loss of a promising young life and condemned the senseless violence that plagues communities.

Neighbors recounted the terrifying ordeal, with one resident illustrating how a bullet pierced their apartment wall, narrowly avoiding harm due to a drum set. Despite previous law enforcement visits for domestic issues, Jim Simms expressed relief that no one was injured but acknowledged the tragedy unfolding next door. While HCSO declined to provide details of prior calls for service, citing an ongoing investigation, Dr. Gerald D. Cobb’s 6th-grade campus, where Carlos attended, is offering support to staff and students in need. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.