A Dallas leasing manager says a routine day at work turned into a fight for her life when a tenant burst into the leasing office on Fort Worth Avenue on Tuesday and stabbed her multiple times. Keila Torres, who has spent nearly 20 years in property leasing, is now recovering from the attack with staples in her back and shoulder and extensive bruising. Police arrested a man in connection with the assault after what property staff describe as weeks of escalating complaints.
According to NBC 5, Torres said she recognized the tenant as he came into the office, then watched him jump the front desk, punch her, and start stabbing her in the back and shoulder. The outlet reported that Dallas police arrested 30-year-old Rigoberto Contreras Pirela and that an arrest warrant alleges felony assault with a deadly weapon. A bloody knife was left on the leasing-office floor, and Torres provided photos of the scene along with cellphone video showing officers responding, the report says.
Torres told NBC 5, "I have staples," describing multiple staples in her back and a deep wound to her shoulder. Police told reporters that the suspect started a fire inside his apartment just before the attack, apparently to distract staff, according to the station’s reporting. Torres said management had already restricted his in-person access to leasing staff, requiring him to communicate through electronic messages only.
Warning signs before the attack
Torres said the situation with the tenant had been simmering for weeks. After he paid part of his rent in advance and then demanded a refund, she said, management logged a series of complaints involving him. Dallas police confirmed they were called out earlier last Saturday after a report that the tenant was banging on a door and causing damage, details that Torres and property staff said were included in the documentation.
Police response and next steps
Dallas police arrested 30-year-old Rigoberto Contreras Pirela, and reporting indicates an arrest warrant lists a felony assault with a deadly weapon charge. For booking details and bond information, the Dallas County jail lookup is the public resource for county arrests: Dallas County Jail Lookup.
Legal status
An arrest warrant alleges felony assault with a deadly weapon, and any formal charges or court dates will be handled by Dallas County prosecutors. Police and the district attorney's office had not released a more detailed public statement beyond the warrant at the time of the reporting, according to NBC 5.
