Teen Sentenced to 25 Years for Killing Watauga 17-Year-Old During Drug-Related Robbery Attempt at North Richland Hills Park

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas — An 18-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a Watauga teenager during a drug-related robbery attempt at a North Richland Hills park in 2025. A food delivery driver was also wounded by a stray bullet.

Zackary Daniel Garza, 18, pleaded guilty to murder and aggravated assault, according to the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office.

Garza received a 25-year prison sentence for murder and a 15-year sentence for aggravated assault in connection with the April 29, 2025, shooting that killed Alvin Ray Sweet, 17, of Watauga.

Teen Found Shot Behind Wheel of Car at Walker's Creek Park

North Richland Hills police responded to reports of gunfire and a vehicle crash at Walker's Creek Park on April 29, 2025.

When officers arrived, they discovered Sweet slumped over the steering wheel of a Honda. He had suffered a gunshot wound.

Sweet was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.

Officers also found a female food delivery driver who had been struck in the arm by a stray bullet during the shooting.

She was taken to a hospital, treated for her injuries and released.

Police Say Shooting Stemmed From Planned Drug-Related Robbery

Investigators determined that Garza and several others had planned to rob Sweet, and the teenager was shot during the attempted robbery.

According to North Richland Hills police, the robbery was drug-related.

Garza was identified as one of the shooters.

During the investigation, detectives identified and arrested multiple suspects, including Ziquarius Taveon Burnette, 17, of North Richland Hills, and Oscar Macias, 18, of Haltom City.

A fourth suspect, a juvenile whose identity was withheld because of his age, was also arrested.

Garza had remained in custody at the Tarrant County Jail since May 13, 2025, with his bond set at $1.5 million.

The shooting was previously reported by Irving Weekly in 2025.

Tarrant County Prosecutors Secure Guilty Plea

The Tarrant County District Attorney's Office announced Garza's guilty plea and prison sentences for the murder of Sweet and the aggravated assault involving the injured delivery driver.

The case was prosecuted by Stuart Neal and Devon Mann, with DA investigator Clint Leach assisting.

Victim coordinators Laura Medina and Cristina Rangel also worked on the case.