On February 24, 2005, a man shot his ex-wife and son outside the courthouse in Tyler, Texas, then engaged police and court officers in a shootout.

David Hernandez Arroyo Sr. opened fire in front of the courthouse with a Type 56S rifle, killing his ex-wife, and wounding his son.

At the time of the shooting, Maribel Estrada and her 23-year-old son, David Hernandez Arroyo Jr., were entering the courthouse for a hearing regarding her ex-husband's failure to pay child support after their 2004 divorce.

[1] Nearby law enforcement officers already present at the courthouse responded to the initial shots and began exchanging fire with Arroyo.

Wilson, who held a Texas concealed handgun permit, immediately armed himself with his Colt .45 caliber pistol, and left his residence to intervene in the gun battle.

Because Arroyo was already engaged in a heated gun battle with sheriff's deputies and Tyler police officers, he did not see Wilson approach from behind.

Mark Wilson has been widely credited as heroic for his actions, which are believed to have caused Arroyo to cease his attack and flee the area without murdering his son, and the Texas House unanimously adopted a resolution (HR.