Tarek El Moussa Opens Up About the Reason Behind Christina's 911 Call Amid Their Turbulent Separation

Tarek El Moussa, star of Flipping El Moussa, has opened up about the day in 2016 that triggered the end of his marriage with ex-wife, Christina Hall (née Haack). More than seven years ago, police were called to their Los Angeles home after a heated argument that culminated in Tarek departing the house with a handgun.

Looking back on the incident, 42-year-old Tarek recounts escaping to their backyard in Yorba Linda before hopping over the fence. This was his way of gaining some distance from Christina. These details are recorded in an extract from his imminent book, Flip Your Life: How to Find Opportunity in Distress — in Real Estate, Business and Life. Tarek reveals that he took possession of his licensed .38-caliber pistol upon leaving his property as a form of protection against the potentially dangerous wildlife in the area.

According to Tarek, a police officer in a helicopter trained a rifle on him and ordered him to raise his hands. Tarek, shocked, identified himself as "the guy from TV" and questioned the officers' actions. These recollections were shared in a People interview.

After being handcuffed, Tarek spent hours in his driveway, marking the last time he and the 40-year-old Christina were together as a family with their children, Taylor and Brayden.

According to law enforcement officers, in May 2016 an eyewitness reported a "possibly suicidal male with a gun" when they saw Tarek with his handgun in the neighborhood. The police arrived at the site, Chino Hills State Park Main Ridge Trail, following the call. The witness, who was working on a neighboring house, reported seeing Tarek jump the fence and stated to police that Christina had told him about her husband taking a handgun and running out the door.

Shannon Rhodes, Christina's makeup artist at the time, was present during the incident and reported seeing Tarek put the gun into his backpack. She clarified that while Tarek seemed upset, he did not make any threatening or suicidal remarks before he left. Rhodes alerted Christina about Tarek's actions, prompting her to call the police for assistance.

Despite this dramatic event, Tarek, who has since married Selling Sunset star Heather El Moussa (née Young), was not charged or arrested at the time. Officials found him to be "compliant" and he voluntarily handed over his collection of five guns to the police for 30 days.

While Tarek managed to avoid any legal repercussions, the incident had lasting effects on his relationship with Christina. The pair announced their separation in December 2016 and finalised their divorce in 2018.

Subsequently, Christina married Ant Anstead in 2018, only to divorce three years later. She then wed her present husband, Josh Hall, in 2022.