A Texas man was just doing his job when a disorderly patron ambushed him at a Sonic Drive-In. Matthew Davis confronted a man in the parking lot of the fast food restaurant in Keene who was behaving inappropriately. An altercation occurred, and shockingly, a 12-year-old allegedly brandished a gun and killed the 32-year-old Sonic employee.
Angel Gomez, 20, was reportedly the disruptive patron and driver of the vehicle that the young shooter was in. The incident unfolded about 9:40 p.m. Saturday, according to a release from the Keene Police Department. Davis, who leaves behind a 10-year-old son, is yet another victim of the staggering, senseless gun violence in the United States.
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It began as a verbal confrontation.
According to a statement from Keene police, Davis and Gomez began arguing in the parking lot during Davis' evening shift at Sonic. As NBC DFW reported, Gomez had reportedly urinated in the parking lot. The interaction soon became physical and, ultimately, deadly.
"During the altercation, a juvenile also of Ft. Worth and a passenger in the suspect's vehicle retrieved a firearm and fired multiple shots, striking the victim," the police statement reads. Gomez and the alleged shooter left the Sonic parking lot afterward.
Davis was treated at the scene, according to police.
After a 911 call, police arrived at the Sonic in the 300 block of South Old Betsy. Davis was reportedly on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. Police tried to treat him while they waited for EMS to arrive, and he was airlifted to Harris Methodist Hospital. Sadly, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Gomez returned to the restaurant.
Police reported that after initially leaving, Gomez returned to Sonic shortly after the shooting and was promptly arrested. After further investigation, the police went to a location in Rio Vista, where they took the juvenile suspect into custody, the news release notes. Additionally, police retrieved multiple firearms. Gomez and the juvenile were both charged with murder, the press release noted.
Friends of Davis' mother organized a GoFundMe account.
Davis was a beloved son and father to a 10-year-old son. According to the GoFundMe page, his mother, Leigh Anne, works as a flight attendant and is taking time off to grieve the loss of her oldest son. The fundraiser had an initial goal of $5,000 but has already raised more than $24,000 thus far.
"Leigh Anne is a strong woman of faith, dedicated and hardworking. It is imperative that we come together to support her during this unimaginable time of loss," the page reads. "Please consider donating any amount to help ease the financial burden for the final arrangements that this horrific act of violence has caused."
One donor thanked Davis for his bravery. "To his mom, I want to say thank you for raising someone who in his last moments did the right thing. He is an inspiration to everyone. I'm a stranger but I have love for him, and I feel the loss," the comment reads.
Another person wrote, "So sorry that another life was lost to senseless gun violence. I hope that any funds left over after funeral costs can go towards his son's future."
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The tragedy has saddened the small town of Keene.
Keene is about 30 miles South of Fort Worth, Texas. NBC DWF reported that the Sonic where Davis died now has a makeshift memorial with a cross and flowers displayed in his honor.
Melissa Hastings, an employee at Dollar General next to Sonic, remembered Davis fondly. She said that he came into the store every day. "Never had anything negative to say, always polite," she told NBC DWF. "He'll always be remembered for that, truly."
Sonic released a statement obtained by the station. "We are saddened to learn about the tragedy involving a franchised team member in Keene, TX. The franchisee is cooperating fully with local authorities as they conduct their investigation," the statement reads.
The investigation is ongoing, and NBC DFW reported police are checking cameras in the area that may have picked up video of the deadly confrontation.
