ARLINGTON, Texas — A Tarrant County jury has sentenced Tareq Alkayyali, 43, to 40 years in prison for the May 2019 murder of his wife, Wasam Moussa. The verdict, delivered Friday in the 396th District Court, adds 17 years to the original sentence Alkayyali received during his first trial in 2021.

The Case Background and Successful Appeal

Alkayyali, a former IHOP manager, was first convicted in December 2021 and sentenced to 23 years. However, he successfully appealed that conviction based on a technicality in the jury instructions.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals found “egregious harm” because the original instruction omitted a critical phrase: “that causes the death of an individual.” This error theoretically allowed the first jury to convict without a specific finding on causation. While the appeal won Alkayyali a new trial, it ultimately resulted in a much harsher penalty.

Timeline of the Tragedy

The incident occurred just days after Wasam Moussa arrived in Arlington from Jordan to live with Alkayyali.

• May 25, 2019: Moussa arrives in Texas to begin her life with Alkayyali after their 2018 marriage in Jordan.
• May 28, 2019: Alkayyali calls a coworker at 6:29 a.m., crying and confessing he “made a mistake” and had covered his wife’s mouth to stop her from screaming.
• Emergency Response: Following his coworker’s advice, Alkayyali called 911. Arlington Police Department officers found Moussa unresponsive in their apartment in the 2500 block of Park Village Drive.
• Medical Findings: Pathologists from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death was asphyxiation.

The Retrial and “Sudden Passion” Defense

During the retrial, the defense argued that Moussa’s death was an accident or that Alkayyali acted under “sudden passion,” which would have capped the sentencing range at 20 years. However, the jury rejected this argument for a second time, opting for a 40-year term.

Under Texas law, Alkayyali must serve at least half of his sentence—20 years—before he becomes eligible for parole.

Greetings, as an SEO expert and your Arlington crime correspondent, I have prepared a detailed report on the recent self-defense shooting on East Lamar Boulevard. This update includes the latest findings from the Arlington Police Department and a look at the legal context regarding self-defense in Texas.

Man Defends Wife in Knife Attack at Arlington Gas Station; No Charges Filed

ARLINGTON, Texas — An early morning stop at an Arlington gas station turned into a violent confrontation Monday when a man shot a woman who was allegedly attacking his vehicle with a knife. The Arlington Police Department responded to the scene in the 2600 block of East Lamar Boulevard at approximately 3:50 a.m. on February 9.

The Confrontation on East Lamar

According to investigators, the incident began while a man was pumping gas into his Jeep. His wife was seated inside the vehicle when a 58-year-old woman, armed with a knife, approached and began striking the Jeep with the weapon.

In an attempt to de-escalate or distance himself from the threat, the man moved toward another vehicle parked nearby. However, police say the woman followed him and continued her assault, striking the second vehicle with the knife as well.

Warning Given Before Shooting

Evidence reviewed by detectives, including witness statements and surveillance footage, indicates that the man retrieved a firearm and issued multiple warnings to the woman. When she continued to advance toward him with the knife, the man fired a single shot, striking her in the leg.

• Victim Status: The 58-year-old woman was transported to a local hospital in serious condition.
• The Couple: The man and his wife were not injured during the attack and remained on the scene to cooperate fully with the investigation.
• Legal Status: As of Tuesday, February 10, no charges have been filed against the shooter.

Texas Self-Defense and the ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law

Under the Texas Penal Code, individuals have the right to use force—and in some cases, deadly force—to protect themselves or others if they reasonably believe it is immediately necessary.

Texas law includes a “No Duty to Retreat” provision (often called the Stand Your Ground law), which states that a person who has a right to be present at a location and is not engaged in criminal activity does not have to retreat before using force in self-defense. Furthermore, the Castle Doctrine in Texas extends these protections to an individual’s “occupied vehicle,” providing a legal presumption that the use of force is reasonable if someone is attempting to enter the vehicle unlawfully or by force.