The City of Midlothian is reeling after a violent altercation at a local park left a teenager hospitalized and another young man in police custody. On Wednesday evening, July 16, 2025, emergency dispatchers at the North Ellis Emergency Dispatch Center received multiple 911 calls just before 8:40 p.m. about a serious fight taking place at Midlothian Community Park, located at 3601 S. 14th Street. Callers reported that 18-year-old Christopher Robert Nienhuis, a resident of Midlothian, and 17-year-old Dylan Almanza of Ennis were involved in a verbal dispute in the parking lot near the baseball fields.
By the time patrol officers with the Midlothian Police Department arrived on scene at 8:43 p.m., Nienhuis had already fled the park with three other individuals. Meanwhile, Almanza was transported by his friends to Methodist Midlothian Medical Center and later transferred to Methodist Mansfield Medical Center due to the seriousness of his injuries. As of this release, Dylan Almanza is reported to be in serious but stable condition.
Detectives from the Midlothian Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division immediately launched an investigation. After interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence from both the park and hospital, investigators were able to positively identify Christopher Nienhuis as the suspect. A warrant was quickly secured for his arrest.
At approximately 5:15 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, the Midlothian Police Department Warrant Service Team located Nienhuis at his home in the 400 block of Brook Meadow Drive and took him into custody without incident.
Christopher Robert Nienhuis has been formally charged with:
- Two counts of Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury with a Deadly Weapon (2nd Degree Felony)
- One count of Assault Causing Bodily Injury (Class A Misdemeanor)
The Midlothian Police Department notes that this appears to be an isolated incident between acquaintances and that there is no continuing threat to the public. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the assault.
“This was a disturbing act of violence between two young men,” said a department spokesperson. “Our officers and investigators worked swiftly to ensure the suspect was located and brought into custody quickly. Our thoughts are with Dylan Almanza and his family as he begins the road to recovery.”
Anyone with additional information about this incident is urged to contact the Midlothian Police Department Criminal Investigations Division or submit tips anonymously via Ellis County Crime Stoppers.
Leave a Reply