Texas boy, 12, is convicted of shooting Sonic restaurant worker dead with AR-15-style rifle during argument with another man in the parking lot

 A 12-year-old Texas boy has been convicted in the May 13 murder of a Sonic restaurant worker with an AR-15-style rifle. 

The child was found 'equivalent of guilty' in shooting Matthew Davis, 32, to death after the child's uncle Angel Gomez, 20, got into an argument with Davis in the parking lot.

The boy was found 'delinquent,' which is the equivalent to guilty in juvenile court, of a murder charge after nearly seven hours of deliberation Sunday, the sheriff's office announced. 

He is expected to be sentenced on Thursday and could face up to 40 years in prison, according to state attorneys. 

County Court at Law No. 1 Judge John Neill will hear from witnesses and attorneys that day before determining the boy’s sentence. 

Because of his age, the 12-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, has not been identified, nor were his trial open to the public. 

Matthew Davis (pictured), who leaves behind a 10-year-old son, had recently moved to Keene and started working at the Sonic just two weeks ago

Detectives believe Angel Gomez, 20, was the driver of the 12-year-old boy and other passengers. He was loud and disorderly and had been confronted by Davis after urinating in the parking lot, cops said

 'A confrontation between two adults became physical at which point the 12-year-old boy got out of the vehicle and fired multiple shots, striking the victim,' the sheriff's office said on Sunday.

Gomez is also charged with murder, but the status of his case remains unclear as his court records not available. If convicted, Gomez could face a sentence of between five to 99 years in prison.

Cops found Davis lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds when they arrived at the Sonic Drive-In in Keene, 50 miles southwest of Dallas in May. He was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives believe Gomez, 20, was the driver and uncle of the 12-year-old boy and other passengers. Gomez was loud and disorderly and had been confronted by Davis after urinating in the parking lot, cops said.

During the heated exchange, the child grabbed the AR-15 rifle from the car and fired six rounds at Davis, authorities said. 

The boy and Gomez fled the scene. Gomez later returned to the Sonic and was arrested. The child was detained at a house in Rio Vista, about 14 miles south of Keene, where multiple guns were seized, police said.

The shooting took place at the Sonic Drive-In in the 300 block of S. Old Betsy, Keene, Texas on Saturday night

Gomez and the boy were charged with murder.

Davis, who leaves behind a 10-year-old son, had recently moved to Keene and started working at the Sonic just two weeks ago.

His mother is working to bury him in Louisiana where he is from.

Lynne Barton, Davis' aunt, posted on Facebook: 'It is with deep sadness that I share my family has had a major loss this Mothers Day. My best friend and sister has just lost her son due to a unspeakable tragedy. 

'Her son was shot while at work, while trying to earn a living. Please share this as we are trying to get enough money to put our beloved son, brother, nephew and friend to rest. Thank you.'

Dylan Elliott, a nearby resident, said she heard gunfire and then an air ambulance.

'I was outside. My fiancé ran in the house, and I heard a bunch of gunshots,' Elliott told Fox.

'You see [helicopters] every once in a while, but you never see them flying this low and this close to home at least.'  

She added: 'A 12-year-old in this day has access to a gun and kills someone. Breaks my heart mainly.'

Davis in a picture posted to a fundraising page which has been set up to help his family

The restaurant remained closed for a day as residents came to lay flowers.

Jane Baggett told NBC: 'I wish there was more that we could do, but right now if they could just see that support and love, and maybe, even if we didn't know him, his life mattered to many of us.'

A Sonic spokesman said: 'We are saddened to learn about the tragedy involving a franchised team member in Keene, TX. The franchisee is cooperating fully with local authorities as they conduct their investigation.' 

Under Texas law you must be 18 to buy a handgun or long gun, but there is no minimum age for possession of a firearm. Parents and legal guardians are allowed to give written permission for one to be sold or given to a minor as a gift.

People aged 21 and over do not need a license to carry a handgun in public. At least 20 other states also have some form of permit-less carry.

Most arms, including military-style weapons, can be owned in the Lone Star State.