In a shocking incident in Midtown Houston, at least six vehicles waiting at a traffic light were vandalized by a suspect wielding a metal bar on Tuesday.
The unsettling event occurred at the intersection of Milam and Alabama near Spur 527 around 3 p.m.
Dashcam footage provided by a woman known only as Vivian captured the moment she pulled up to a red light as a man approached her vehicle. Within seconds of stopping, the man struck her back window with the metal bar, causing it to shatter.
“He hits it once, and the entire back window shatters,” Vivian recounted. “It was very traumatizing in the moment.”
As Vivian and her passenger remained immobilized, the assailant continued his attack on their vehicle.
“He comes on the right side to the right back window and also starts to hit it, but luckily, that one doesn’t shatter,” Vivian explained.
Although Vivian managed to escape by making a right turn at the light, the suspect, identified as David Mann by police, continued his spree, damaging other vehicles.
Eyewitnesses reported that up to nine vehicles may have been affected, though only six have been confirmed.
“I don’t think it was necessarily a targeted attack because I think he was just hitting every car at that intersection that was coming up,” Vivian observed.
Several witnesses claimed that one of the drivers had to brandish a gun at the suspect to halt the attacks.
Cell phone footage provided by one of the victims depicted police struggling to apprehend Mann. He has since been charged with criminal mischief. Court records reveal that he was sentenced to 80 days in jail in 2023 for making a terroristic threat.
“These homeless people are not being held accountable for their actions. It’s that simple,” remarked Andrew Green, a longtime resident of the area.
He noted that the vicinity around Spur 527 is known for aggressive panhandling and other issues.
Mann’s bond has been set at $2,500, and he is scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning.
