WACO, TX – A man was arrested in connection with an alleged violent altercation and subsequent arson at the Avila Apartments on Sanger Avenue in Waco in July 2024.
According to arrest records, the incident began when the suspect, identified as Vernon, became involved in an argument with a woman at the apartment complex. After the confrontation, the woman reportedly walked to her car, at which point Vernon followed her and got into the vehicle against her will.
In an attempt to escape the situation, the woman drove to the nearby Ashton Oaks Apartments on Hawthorne Drive, hoping to get Vernon to leave the car. However, during the drive, Vernon allegedly attempted to grab the keys from the ignition. The woman, in a bid to prevent him from taking them, reached for the keys first, but Vernon allegedly ripped them from her grasp, causing a deep gash in her finger that bled profusely.
The affidavit states that Vernon then grabbed the woman by the hair and struck her multiple times on her head, arms, and chest. Despite the assault, the woman managed to retrieve the keys and drove herself to Ascension Providence Hospital for treatment of her injuries.
While she was inside the emergency room receiving medical attention, Vernon reportedly remained in the car. It was at this time that he allegedly set a book on fire and dropped it onto the car seat. The flames spread quickly, eventually consuming the vehicle to the point where only the metal frame remained. A nearby SUV was also damaged in the blaze.
According to police reports, Vernon later confessed to setting the fire, claiming he stepped on the book after it ignited and believed the fire had been extinguished. However, the damage to both the woman’s car and the nearby vehicle suggests otherwise.
Vernon is facing multiple charges, including assault and arson, as investigations into the incident continue. Authorities have not released the name of the woman involved in the altercation.
This incident has raised concerns about the escalation of violence and property damage, with authorities emphasizing the seriousness of both the physical assault and the dangerous act of arson.
