FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock and Garland Police Chief Jeff Bryan today announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Abel Elias Acosta. Acosta is wanted in Dallas County, where he faces charges including capital murder of multiple persons, in connection with the fatal shooting of three teenagers in Garland, Texas that occurred in December 2021.
On the evening of December 26, 2021, Garland Police Officers were dispatched to a convenience store in response to multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Upon arrival, three juvenile victims were found deceased, and a fourth victim was transferred to the hospital with life threatening injuries. The deceased victims were fourteen, sixteen, and seventeen years old.
Abel Acosta, who was 14 years old at the time, was identified as the alleged shooter and a state warrant for capital murder was issued. He has not been seen since the night of the murders. Investigators believe Acosta fled to Mexico and remains there.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Acosta in the Northern District of Texas after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Acosta is now 18 years old. He is a white Hispanic male who was born in Garland, Texas. He should be considered armed and dangerous.
“Today, the FBI is announcing a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Abel Elias Acosta,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We know he has longstanding ties to the Garland area, and we ask anyone with information to contact the FBI. The FBI will continue to work with our partners at the Garland Police Department to bring justice to the victims’ families and the Garland community.”
“For the family, friends, and the entire community, this case remains a wound that cannot begin to heal until justice is served. We remain steadfast in our commitment to pursuing that justice, and we are grateful for the continued partnership of the FBI and all agencies working alongside us. We hope this reward encourages anyone with information about Abel Acosta’s whereabouts to provide that information to law enforcement. We also urge Abel Acosta to find the resolve to do what is right and come forward,” said Jeff Bryan, Chief of the Garland Police Department.
If you have information about Abel Acosta’s whereabouts, please call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the FBI’s Dallas Field Office at 972-559-5000. Tips can also be submitted digitally at tips.fbi.gov or by contacting the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. All information can remain anonymous, and confidentiality is guaranteed.
Additional information and wanted posters in English and Spanish can be found at this link: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/murders/abel-elias-acosta
This fugitive investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Dallas Field Office. The homicide investigation is being investigated by the Garland Police Department and the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.