Veteran spray paints response to vandals who damaged work trailer

KATY, TX (KTRK) -- When someone vandalized Donald Teague's work trailer, the best way he figured to respond was to scrawl a message in return in spray paint.

At some point Saturday, someone painted "MOVE" and an expletive on the side and front of the trailer which Teague had left parked on Prairie Villa Drive in Katy. For several weeks, he has been building a pergola and fences for a client adjacent to that location. He says he left the trailer on Prairie Villa because Rock Canyon is a busier street.

"If you got a problem with me, come to me and talk to me. Don't vandalize my vehicle," Teague said.

Teague was not happy. But not knowing who did it he responded in kind, painting this letter in response , right over some of the graffiti:

"Dear Coward,
If you wanted me to move my trailer why not just ask me?
Are you that much of a [expletive]? That you have to [sic] vandalize my work trailer? The trailer I use to make a living after serving my country.
Donald Teague"

Neighbors Linda and Bob Bates saw Teague doing it. They weren't sure what to make of it.

"He must've lost it because he went out there and I'm watching him. I won't tell you what I said, but I'm like dude!"

Teague said he is an Army veteran and is just trying to earn a living. It's a sign of the times, he says, that people are so quick to be aggressive when behind a keyboard -- or in this case, a can of spray paint -- yet hesitant to say anything in person.

"At least they're gonna get my message. I'm pretty sure got my message," Teague said.

Even though Teague put his phone number on the bottom of his letter to the tagger, he doesn't really think the person will have the nerve to reach out and talk about what happened -- or to even apologize.