Police in Texas said two men got into a dispute on January 5 after a young girl made some serious allegations. The child claimed her stepfather sexually assaulted her, and when her biological father heard the news, he allegedly took matters into his own hands. Now, the father faces assault charges and the stepfather is recovering from serious injuries.
Houston Police Lieutenant Ronnie Willkens told KHOU during a media conference that a 12-year-old girl wrote a note to her mother accusing her stepfather of sexual abuse. The allegation reportedly led to the father shooting the stepfather multiple times in the stomach and legs.
Police said the families are neighbors.
Willkens told KHOU during the media conference that the 12-year-old’s mother and father share four children and were reportedly married for several years. He explained that after their divorce, the couple continued living close by each other in neighboring apartments. “They evidently are good about sharing the kids back and forth,” he explained.
The young girl's mother reportedly told her ex-husband about the alleged abuse.
Per police, the 12-year-old shared a note with her mother outlining the alleged abuse, and the mother shared that information with the child’s biological father.
The stepfather reportedly denied the allegations, and the men got into a heated debate. The mother and daughter left the apartment, and the father allegedly shot the other man.
The accused abuser was seriously injured.
Willkens said the man was hit three times in the stomach and legs and was rushed into emergency surgery. Although his injuries were serious, he is expected to survive.
After police arrived at the scene, Willkens said they went to the biological father’s apartment and confronted him about the shooting, per KHOU. The man cooperated with police.
The complex investigation is ongoing.
Not only are police investigating the alleged shooting, but Willkens said investigators also are looking into the abuse allegations. “A lot of moving parts. Our investigators are on top of everything, and we will, they will work the whole, get to the bottom, and hopefully everything will work out for the best,” he said.
The father faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Willkens said. It is unclear what charges the stepfather may face.
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Many have praised the father's alleged actions.
Although he seemed to be after vigilante justice, the father has plenty of supporters. They filled the comment section on KHOU’s YouTube page.
One follower wrote, “Proper father 100%, imagine if it was your daughter and you did nothing.”
Another agreed, commenting, “My heart goes out to the child, and I really hope the biological father has the charges dropped/dismissed for extenuating circumstances or something. Can’t even begin to imagine the amount of rage & anger was flowing through em’. All the dads out there that say I would kill someone if they touched my daughter, ya he was about it & rightfully so.”
Many think the father is a hero.
“The fact that he’s being charged tells you everything that’s wrong with society!!!” one person wrote. “I get we need laws, but when they don’t protect the innocent what good are they! They give drug dealers more jail time than they do pedos!!!! People ask for drugs all the time…..no child asks to be assaulted!!!!
“Make it make sense!!!,” the person continued. “A Real Man being A Real Father!” [And] for bonus points, hold a moment of silent prayer for her health during you[r] reception speeches. Lean into that s—.”
