Bill Spinks
A Midlothian resident and his family remain apprehensive following an attempted arson on their home that was captured on security cameras.
The incident is under investigation, but the home’s owner believes retaliation for a recent lawsuit is the motive, according to an acquaintance speaking to the media on his behalf.
No one was injured by the fire, which was set by what appeared to be a male suspect wearing a hoodie and carrying a gasoline container. Midlothian police and fire units responded and the fire was put out quickly with only superficial damage to the home’s front doorway, windows and a roll-up garage door.
Midlothian police said the case is being investigated as arson and that there are several leads, but nothing that can be released to the public at this time.
On Aug. 12 at approximately 1 a.m., the home of Darryl Wilson and his family, in the 900 block of McAlpin Road, was the target of an apparent attempted arson while they were asleep inside. Both the fire department and police responded.
An acquaintance of Wilson who requested not to be identified told the Mirror that Wilson believes this attack may be connected to an ongoing legal dispute with his former employer involving allegations of sexual harassment and racial discrimination. Since filing the case, Wilson has reportedly received threatening phone calls, the friend said.
Court records show that in November 2024, Wilson filed a lawsuit in Dallas County against Civitas Senior Living and six individuals. The case remains open.
In a later court filing, the suit claims that Wilson, who was identified as Black in the document, and a coworker listed as a witness were fired for reporting a sexual harassment incident by a supervisory employee. Wilson is the only plaintiff listed in the suit.
Wilson does not have legal representation and told the Mirror on Friday afternoon, Aug. 15, that no attorney has contacted his family.
“Mr. Wilson is hoping that by sharing his story publicly, he can find an attorney willing to assist him in pursuing justice,” his friend told the Mirror.
One of Wilson and his wife’s four daughters happened to be awake and spotted the fire before it could cause further damage. Malia Rivera told KXAS television that she saw the glow of the fire outside her window. “It’s traumatic,” said Malia, a college student.
Her sister, Tiza Rivera, told the television station that she shares the home with her family, including their mother and father, three of her siblings and two young children.
“If it would’ve got in the house, I’m like, what would’ve happened because I have a daughter, and her birthday is next week. She probably wouldn’t have gotten to that birthday if the fire would’ve got in the house,” Tiza Rivera said, tearfully.
Cameras outside the home were rolling when the suspect started to pour gas on the home’s walls, windows, and garage. The person is seen pulling a small object out of their pocket. Another camera angle shows a bright flash in the front yard before the person runs off, and flames spread.
“I look out the window and I just see smoke,” said Malia Rivera, who added she thought she was dreaming when she ran downstairs and saw fire outside a window.
Video shows her dad, later identified as Wilson, dousing the flames with water before first responders arrive.
The sisters say they don’t know who would want to harm them or their family, and want the person responsible caught.
“You really gotta be a cruel person, a sociopath or something knowing that there’s kids here,” Malia Rivera told KXAS.
