A family in Midlothian, Texas, is now taking shifts to stay awake after chilling security footage showed an intruder setting their home on fire. The incident took place on August 12, around 1 a.m., while the majority of the Wilson family — including six adults and two children — was asleep inside.
The Shocking Incident
The terrifying footage, aired by Fox 4 News, shows a hooded man pouring gasoline around the home’s front door, windows, and garage before setting it ablaze and fleeing the scene. Malia Wilson, 21, who was home on summer break from college, was the only family member still awake when the attack occurred.
Malia noticed the motion-activated security lights go on and saw flames outside her bedroom window, prompting her to wake her father, Darryl Wilson, and call 911. Darryl initially dismissed her claims, thinking he was dreaming, but quickly realized the seriousness of the situation after Malia’s insistence.
Shock and Fear for the Family
Darryl’s wife, Wahsheida Wilson, expressed her shock at the attack, saying, “I was shocked. I’m like, this can’t be real. Who would do this? Like, we keep to ourselves.”
The family’s first response was to try to extinguish the flames with water, but when the fire grew, Wahsheida checked their home’s security footage and saw the hooded figure responsible.
Darryl’s daughter, Mylah Rivera, 25, shared the footage on social media, urging the public to help identify the suspect. She expressed concern for her family’s safety, especially considering the close call, saying, “What if my sister wasn’t up and witnessed this… it would have got worse.”
Ongoing Fear and the Family’s Plan to Move
Thankfully, no one was injured in the fire, but the family is now living in constant fear. Wahsheida shared that the family has been taking turns staying awake at night, with one person watching the cameras and looking out the windows while others sleep.
“We’re on rotation, just staying up at night. Looking out the windows, looking on the camera,” she explained.
Darryl reflected on the terrifying thought of what could have happened had the fire reached the house, adding, “What would’ve happened if it got in the house?”
As a result of the trauma, the Wilson family is planning to move. Darryl stated, “My kids don’t want to stay. My wife doesn’t want to stay. You know, they’re traumatized. It’s a hurting thing for someone to come to my home and do that. And I feel helpless as a father.”
Investigation Underway
The Midlothian Police Department is investigating the incident as an arson offense, though the family does not recognize the suspect seen in the security footage. The police have yet to provide additional details.
As of now, the Wilson family continues to recover from the emotional and physical toll of the attack, and their community has rallied in support as they seek justice.
