Lawsuit settled between family of Freemason and lodge where he was killed

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A lawsuit between a McAllen Freemason lodge and the family of a man who was killed outside it has been settled, court documents indicate.

The family of Robert Wise, who was murdered, sued the Freemason lodge where he was allegedly shot, accusing them of negligence.

Court records indicate that a letter dated April 25 informed the court that a settlement was reached. However, it is not clear whether or not the settlement has been finalized.

On July 10, 2023, McAllen police responded after Wise was shot in the face. When officers responded, they located Wise next to his pickup truck with multiple gunshot wounds.

Julio Diaz, of Alamo, faces charges of murder and arson intended to damage a habitat/place of worship for fatally shooting Wise, a Mission resident, an indictment states.

JulioDiaz/Hidalgo County Jail records

Robert Wise's family argued in the lawsuit that at night, the McAllen Masonic Lodge No. 1110 parking lot, the surrounding area and the front of the building had no lighting.

"It was pitch black. The premises was unlit, unfenced, and completely unprotected from any trespasser at the time of Wise’s murder. The McAllen Lodge knew how vulnerable it and its
members were, but did nothing," the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also stated that ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, there had been an alarming increase throughout the U.S. and Canada in incidents of vandalism and arson against Masonic halls by admitted paranoid anti-Masonic extremists and conspiracists.

In March of 2022 the McAIlen Lodge was vandalized with graffiti that read, “Sorcery against the Holy spirit
and the human race must all be stoned to death."

Five months later, on September 15, 2022, the McAIlen Lodge was vandalized again. At that time, the front glass door was smashed and fuel was thrown into the building to start a fire.

In 2021, an act of vandalism on the lodge prompted the purchase of a light and a camera system. However, the light and camera system was not installed until months after the murder of Wise, the lawsuit alleges.

"The McAllen Lodge ignored what should have been obvious to even the most casual observer.
The McAllen Lodge was an easy mark for any criminal to the point that its continued use of the location constituted gross negligence," the lawsuit stated.

The lawsuit goes on to hold the lodge accountable for not taking adequate measures to protect its fraternity despite the social climate and alleged previous attacks from Diaz.

"Free Masonry is an ancient order," the lawsuit states. "Some believe it dates to Alexander the Great. It exists in secrecy and in the early years of our nation its members occupied the highest seats of government, including the presidency. Not only is it secret, but it is wealthy. This lawsuit and the discovery that will be conducted will not only open the previously sealed doors of its activities but will reveal that this Lodge had more than sufficient financial means to have first tried to secure the Lodge, and failing in that, to close its doors and move to safer location. It did neither."

On the night of his murder, Wise had been installed as Junior Deacon for the McAllen Masonic Lodge No. 1110, located at 118 N. 11 Street. Wise had been a member of the McAllen Masonic Lodge for two years and attained the officer position of Marshal.

A probable cause affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral states that surveillance video showed Diaz arrive at the lodge in a black Chevrolet Blazer and fire multiple shots at Wise.

The video showed Diaz holding a handgun in one hand and an electronic device in the other.

He recorded himself shooting Wise.

Police later learned that Diaz had uploaded the gruesome video to his Instagram account.

Police also received a tip from a friend of Diaz’s, who said he sent him a message on social media admitting to the shooting.

In April of 2024, Diaz’s competency to stand trial was brought into question when it was revealed by Lennard K. Whittaker, his defense attorney, that medical professionals in Mexico found a cyst in Diaz’s brain in 2019 after he complained of dizziness and tinnitus.

In May of last year, it was determined that Diaz was fit to stand trial and that the court would proceed with his case.