EMS Shooting War in Texas

Posted by: Curt Varone July 17, 2017 1 Comment

An EMS provider in Texas has filed suit against a competitor accusing it of vandalizing its ambulances by shooting out windows, severing brakes lines, and secretly placing GPS trackers on its vehicles to identify and solicit its customers

The sensational allegations were included in a complaint filed last week in Harris County District Court by Republic Ambulance against Viking Enterprises, Inc. doing business as City Ambulance Services, Mohamad Massoud and Edith Hernandez.

According to the complaint:

  • Resentment toward Republic EMS by Mohamad Massoud and his affiliated persons at City Ambulance increased over time, until May 2016.
  • Based on information and belief, representatives hired, authorized and/or ratified by City Ambulance and Mohamad Massoud, President of City Ambulance, deliberately vandalized a Republic EMS ambulance in May 2016. They shot out the windows of one of Republic’s ambulances with a firearm.
  • Between September and November 2016, Republic EMS ambulances were vandalized on nine (9) additional and independent occasions. The shootings of Republic EMS ambulances occurred at a variety of locations in Texas.
  • Based on information and belief, person(s) acting under the direction, authority, knowledge and/or approval of City Ambulance and Mohamad Massoud were responsible for the attacks.
  • On another occasion, based on information and belief, City Ambulance and its representatives even severed the brake lines of a Republic EMS ambulance.
  • While Republic’s ambulances were being repaired, GPS tracking devices were discovered on Republic’s vehicles. Republic has found multiple illegal tracking devices installed on their ambulances.
  • City Ambulance used the tracking devices to follow Republic’s ambulances and see what customers Republic serviced and with whom Republic representatives met.
  • City Ambulance then sent marketing materials to the clients and prospective clients of Republic EMS. City Ambulance also used the tracking devices to know where Republic EMS vehicles would be so that City Ambulance could maliciously damage Republic’s ambulances.
  • Based on information and belief, Edith Hernandez, the wife of a City Ambulance director, Hadi Mneimneh ordered, purchased, paid for by and/or registered the tracking devices.

The suit alleges conversion, tortious interference with an existing contract, tortious interference with a prospective business relationship, conspiracy, and aiding and abetting. The complaint also seeks to hold the principals of City Ambulance personally liable by disregarding the existence of the corporation under the “piercing the corporate veil” theory. Republic is seeking actual damages, exemplary (punitive) damages, costs and attorneys fees.

Here is a copy of the complaint: Republic EMS v Viking Enterprises dba

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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