The Tribune took up the story of my home being firebombed with fireworks in Kingwood, TX.
This was a very frightening experience for my wife and daughter.
As I told the reporter, if they try this again, we will be ready to protect our property.
Act of delinquency in Kingwood casts shadow on New Year
Monday, January 09, 2012
Amanda Scott
When it comes to celebrating the new year, a great number of people still subscribe to the famous mantra, “out with the old and in with the new.” However, one man in Kingwood still seems to be dealing with yesteryear’s problems. On New Year’s Day at around 10:58 p.m., an unknown suspect set off fireworks outside of Egberto Willies’ residence, causing brush damage and even killing a squirrel. After capturing the incident on his home security cameras, Willies uploaded his video to CNN’s iReport, an outlet that allows people from all over the world to contribute stories, videos and photographs of newsworthy incidents that take place in and around their residence.
“I posted this video for two specific reasons: to get as many views as possible on the likelihood that someone recognizes the culprit given the date, time and video [and] to show how many in our area have no regard for decency,” Willies explained.
During the 2008 presidential election, Willies experienced a similar breach of property after some yard signs went missing from his front yard.
“After I found my Obama sign missing in my yard, I went to my camera and found an adult pointing to our sign to a child as if giving some sort of direction. The adult and the child went out of view and the child came back, grabbed the sign and ran,” Willies said.
Willies is the president of the Kingwood Area Democrats and participates nationally with the Coffee Party USA, activism of which some openly criticize through hate mail.
“I get some people are not happy with an alternate viewpoint,” Willies conceded. However, Willies said he can’t say for sure whether this entire incident is related to his political activism.
“The incident has been reported to the Houston Police Department,” Willies explained.
Aside from alerting the authorities, Willies has received an abundance of support from those who have viewed the video in and outside the Kingwood community.
“I am appalled to hear of this disgusting act being perpetrated upon your home,” one supporter commented.
“Of course, every so often you get a crackpot with a comment like, ‘If you were a Republican, that would not happen,’ ” Willies concluded.
For those interested in viewing the video, visit ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-725058 or Willies’ personal website at egbertowillies.com.
