On Friday, November 8, 2024, a Brazos County jury found Arnoldo Romero guilty of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon for a 2020 shooting at Bryan's House of Tires. Romero, 36, a documented member of the Latin Kings criminal street gang, received a 45-year prison sentence for the assault and an additional 20-year sentence for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
The incident took place in May 2020, when Romero confronted an employee at the tire shop, escalating the conflict by drawing a firearm and shooting the man. Afterward, Romero fled the scene, leaving the victim critically injured. Several witnesses, including passing drivers on Texas Avenue, rushed to the aid of the employee, providing immediate assistance until Bryan Police and EMS arrived. The victim was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery that saved his life. Despite surviving, the victim suffers from long-term physical complications due to the injuries sustained in the shooting.
At the time of the offense, Romero was on parole for four counts of Aggravated Robbery. During sentencing, prosecutors from the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office presented Romero’s prior criminal record, which includes a previous five-year prison sentence for Aggravated Robbery, as well as additional pending charges. These include two charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon in 2022 and 2023, another Aggravated Robbery charge, and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. The DA’s Office argued that Romero’s continued criminal behavior demonstrated his disregard for public safety and urged the jury to impose a sentence that would prevent future harm to the community.
The case was investigated by the Bryan Police Department and the Brazos County Sheriff's Office. Assistant District Attorneys Rachel Porter and Tonika Davis prosecuted the case, with the assistance of Investigator Dennis Thane and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa Carter. Following the sentencing, Porter and Davis stated, "A Brazos County Jury sent a message to the Defendant and others like him: when you continue to bring crime and violence into our community, we will not tolerate that behavior."
