Friendship ends in violence: Aguilar sentenced to 45 years

THE WOODLANDS, TX – On November 3, 2025, William Aguilar, 20, pled guilty to Murder as part of a plea agreement and was sentenced to 45 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice by the Honorable Judge Phil Grant in the 9th District Court.

The case stems from a tragic and deeply unsettling shooting that occurred on December 21, 2024, at an AutoZone store in Montgomery County. The victim, Carlos Perez, 19, was working at the store when Aguilar, a friend of the victim, entered and opened fire, taking his life in an unprovoked act of violence.

Deputies with the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office responded within minutes, immediately securing the scene and identifying Aguilar as the shooter. He was taken into custody a short time later. Throughout the investigation, authorities found no apparent motive or explanation for why Aguilar targeted his friend, making the tragedy even more difficult for Perez’s family and the community to understand.

Under Texas law, the punishment range for Murder is 5 years to life in prison. Aguilar will be eligible for parole after serving half of his 45-year sentence.

District Attorney Michael Holley expressed gratitude for the swift, coordinated work of law enforcement and prosecutors, and empathy for the victim’s loved ones who have endured the unimaginable.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Prosecutor Laura Bond, Assistant District Attorney for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.

Chief Prosecutor Laura Bond said, “While no outcome can erase the pain of Carlos’s loss, we hope this brings his family some measure of peace.”

District Attorney Michael Holley said, “Some cases simply defy understanding. A young man lost his life at the hands of someone he trusted, and no one will ever truly know why. No sentence can make sense of such a senseless act, but we will continue to stand with Carlos Perez’s family as they search for peace in the wake of this tragedy.”