Across the country, tensions around Tesla—and its ever-controversial CEO, Elon Musk—are hitting a boiling point. Protests have flared, and in some cities, parked Teslas have been left scratched, dented, or worse. But in North Texas, one owner isn’t just watching the chaos unfold—he’s fighting back.
Earlier this month, a Tesla Model X parked at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport was keyed by a man later identified as Rafael Hernandez.
What the suspect didn’t realize? Tesla’s built-in cameras were rolling the entire time.
The footage, shared online by the owner, quickly went viral. It shows a man holding what looks like a key fob, dragging it along the sleek white SUV. The internet did what it does best, and within days, police had arrested Hernandez.
He’s now facing a charge of criminal mischief and is set to appear in court on April 8.
But that’s not where the story ends.
The Tesla’s owner, whose name is being kept private out of safety concerns, has filed a civil lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages. That number might raise eyebrows—his car isn’t worth nearly that much—but according to his attorney, Majed Nachawati, the case is about something bigger than a repair bill.
“There’s a line between disagreement and destruction,” Nachawati said. “This isn’t about politics. My client just loves his car. It’s one of the best things he’s ever bought, and someone decided to damage it over… what, a logo?”
"We don't allow people to act out based on what they believe their political affiliations are and what upsets them and who they are upset with, and allow them to take things into their own hands and become essentially a vigilante... What does that say about our country?"
The suit lists more than just physical damage. The owner claims lost income, emotional distress, and fears for his safety after the video gained traction online. For him, it’s not about Musk or Dogecoin or federal layoffs—it’s about not feeling safe driving the car he paid for. And he’s not alone.
Rafael Hernandez (Photo: Tarrant County Sheriff's Office)
Chanel Mergerson, another Tesla owner from the area, says she fell in love with the car after renting one to drive her son to college last fall. She ended up buying her own in October. But after hearing more about Musk's online antics, she started feeling uneasy.
“My son actually called me from school and said, ‘Mom, you need to get rid of that car,’” she said, laughing a little. “He was worried someone would mess with it. Or with me.”
That kind of worry—whether rooted in real threats or not—has started to become a reality for some EV owners. And while Elon Musk continues to dominate headlines for everything from AI to space travel, it’s regular drivers like Mergerson and the man behind this lawsuit who are feeling the backlash.
Still, some say this lawsuit sends a clear message.
“We can’t just let people go around damaging things because they don’t like someone,” said Mitch Mitchell, another local Tesla owner. “It’s just… wrong. And honestly, a little scary.”
Nachawati agrees.
“No matter where you fall politically, I think we all know this isn’t how you express yourself,” he said. “You don’t take your anger out on someone else’s car. That’s not protest—that’s just vandalism.”
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