Two Venezuelan illegal immigrants have been identified as suspects in the fatal jet ski collision that killed 18-year-old Air Force cadet candidate Ava Moore over Memorial Day weekend. According to an official statement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the suspects, Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez and Maikel Coello Perozo, are both accused of operating the jet ski that struck and killed Moore, as well as fleeing the scene of the accident. Their alleged actions resulted in a severe head trauma that led to Moore’s death.
ICE acted on the information from the Texas Attorney General’s Office, which first announced that both individuals were in the United States illegally. Gonzalez was allegedly operating the jet ski that struck Moore, while Perozo was alleged to have driven away from the scene with her. Both suspects were arrested in Dallas following the incident. ICE has since lodged immigration detainers against the two, which will be processed after their criminal cases are settled. The criminal charges against Gonzalez include second-degree felony manslaughter, while Perozo faces charges of collision involving damage to a vehicle and hindering apprehension.
The case has stirred intense public outcry, particularly among the military community and Ava’s family, who are mourning the loss of a promising young officer. According to reports, Ava was just weeks away from beginning her military training and was scheduled to depart for Air Force basic training. She was visiting her family in Texas during the Memorial Day weekend, which is the timeframe when the incident took place.
Suspect Gonzalez is currently in custody pending trial, and Perozo is being held as well. Both are accused of violating immigration laws by entering the United States without proper documentation. According to ICE officials, both entered the country in 2023 or 2024 and were processed on a notice to appear before being released on their own recognizance. The case has also drawn attention to the growing issue of illegal immigration and its impact on public safety across the United States.