Authorities in Texas have arrested two individuals connected to the death of 18-year-old Ava Moore, who was killed in a jet ski collision while kayaking at Grapevine Lake.
Grapevine police confirmed that Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, 21, was taken into custody on Tuesday morning at a home in the 4700 block of Kildare Avenue in Oak Cliff. Officers from Grapevine and Dallas, along with Texas Game Wardens and federal agents, secured the blue, two-story house around 11 a.m., deploying drones to survey the interior before detaining Gonzalez. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security agents were also present at the scene.
Gonzalez faces a second-degree felony manslaughter charge and is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Police also arrested 21-year-old Maikel Coello Perozo, accused of driving the blue Toyota Corolla that aided Gonzalez’s escape. Investigators say Perozo hit two vehicles while trying to help Gonzalez flee from the lake, and the pair abandoned the car before running away. Both suspects were captured in Dallas. Perozo currently faces a charge of accident involving collision, with another charge expected soon.
According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, both Gonzalez and Perozo, citizens of Venezuela, are in the U.S. unlawfully.
The Texas Game Wardens expressed appreciation to partner agencies, saying on social media, “We’re grateful for the assistance from the Texas Attorney General’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Dallas Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.”
Attorney General Paxton also shared his condolences, stating, “Ava Moore’s death is a tragic loss. My heart goes out to her family and friends as they cope with this senseless tragedy.”
Witness accounts and the arrest affidavit reveal that the jet ski was moving at high speed near swimmers and other water users. As Moore and another kayaker tried to paddle away from the dangerous activity, Gonzalez struck Moore’s kayak from behind.
Some bystanders attempted to detain the suspects, but those with Gonzalez and Perozo helped them reach the parking lot and escape. The incident occurred Sunday evening near Oak Grove Park. Moore, who suffered severe head injuries, was brought to shore and taken to a hospital, where she later died. The jet ski’s passenger stayed at the scene and was interviewed by first responders, but Gonzalez and Perozo fled in the Corolla, crashing into another vehicle on their way out.
The Texas Game Wardens are leading the investigation into the crash, while Grapevine police are looking into the hit-and-run involving the vehicle.
Moore, an 18-year-old with aspirations to join the U.S. military, had recently graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School on May 19, 2025, and was preparing to start basic training.
Ke’sha Blanton, Moore’s basketball coach at the Prep School, remembered her as a natural leader. “We talked about how she was on track to be a four-star general because of her dedication and leadership,” Blanton said. “She always brought out the best in those around her.”
Over Memorial Day weekend, Moore was visiting her parents in North Texas. In a statement, U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind said, “Ava’s energy and determination lifted her squadron. She was deeply committed to leading and serving, and her ambition was clear in everything she did.”
Eyewitness Lisa Scrabeck recalled the tragic moment. “I heard someone yell, ‘She hit someone!’ so I looked back at the water,” she said. Scrabeck saw the immediate efforts to revive Moore. “We were checking her pulse, trying to help in any way we could,” she added. Scrabeck also saw Gonzalez and her passenger speeding away from the crash, waving to their friends as they tried to get away.
The investigation is ongoing.
