Texas: 28-year-old named 'Khalid' poured gasoline on coworker in company parking lot and attempted to light him on fire

Houston Man Faces Court After Alleged Attempt to Set Coworker Ablaze in Tomball

TOMBALL, Texas — On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 28-year-old Khalid Elhindi appeared in court facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following a shocking incident at the Imperial Star Solar factory in Tomball, where he allegedly attempted to set a coworker on fire. The court appearance, held in a Harris County probable cause court, shed light on a violent encounter that left the victim injured and the community stunned.

According to court documents, the incident occurred on Monday, April 21, 2025, in the parking lot of the solar panel manufacturing facility located at 19200 Hamish Road. Elhindi, a temporary worker at the factory, reportedly approached his coworker, identified as Avery Clark, during a lunch break. After confirming Clark’s identity, Elhindi allegedly doused him with gasoline from a Gatorade bottle and attempted to ignite him using a makeshift flamethrower fashioned from a can of Lysol and a cigarette lighter. When the lighter failed to spark, Elhindi chased Clark through the parking lot, eventually tackling him after Clark tripped and fell. Elhindi is accused of punching Clark repeatedly in the face until witnesses intervened, forming a protective barrier around the victim to stop the attack.

Prosecutors revealed that Elhindi’s actions were motivated by a belief that Clark had done something to his mother, who resides in Sudan. However, Clark told authorities he had no connection to Elhindi’s mother and had never been to Sudan, suggesting a possible misunderstanding or delusion on Elhindi’s part. The victim sustained serious injuries, including a possible broken ankle, bruising to his eyes and cheeks, and eye irritation from the gasoline. Authorities noted that Clark will require surgery for his injuries.

During the court hearing, Elhindi was assigned a $50,000 bond and appointed a defense attorney. Assistant District Attorney Shameka Savage emphasized the severity of the attack, highlighting the intervention of bystanders as critical in preventing further harm. Elhindi remains in custody at the Harris County Jail as the case progresses.

Sources:

• KHOU 11, “Man appears in court on charges tied to bizarre attack at Tomball job site,” April 25, 2025

• ABC13 Houston, “Man charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after trying to set one of his co-workers on fire with Lysol flamethrower,” April 22, 2025

• Telemundo Houston, “Intentó prender fuego a compañero de trabajo en Tomball,” April 23, 2025

17GEN4.com