Fort Worth police give away free gas in surprise "April Fuels Day" event

Drivers in Fort Worth got an unexpected boost Wednesday when the Fort Worth Police Department and a local nonprofit teamed up to give away free fuel – a gesture organizers say was aimed at helping residents feeling the strain of rising gas prices.

The department did not advertise the event in advance, hoping the surprise would benefit people who genuinely needed the help, police said.

"We got together with a nonprofit organization that said, 'What can we do today to take care of our community?'" FWPD spokesperson Buddy Calzada said. "I said, let's give away some free fuel. So here we are right now – April Fuels Day. We partnered with Fort Worth Metro, and we're hoping to take care of about 72 to 75 vehicles with $25 worth of fuel."

Residents say timing mattered

Drivers pulled into the Lucky Shamrock gas station to find officers waving them in and offering to pump $25 of gas for free.

"I needed some gas too. I love to see this," one driver said. "This is great."

"Every little bit helps, especially now," driver Gina Brown said. "Hard times have definitely set in, so this is great."

Fort Worth Metro Executive Director Ruth Calzada said the nonprofit has worked in the neighborhood for more than three decades and wanted to offer relief where it mattered.

"This is just a small thing, but we know it's big to you," she said. "Fuel is expensive right now. If we can provide just a little bit of relief for you, then that's what we want to do."

Drivers share daily challenges

"Four dollars a gallon is a little expensive," one man said. "Some of us can't afford it, but we gotta do what we gotta do."

Another driver, Lashan Houston, said the free fuel made a difference after a long day of driving between Arlington and Fort Worth to pick up her children.

Lines grow as word spreads

Word spread quickly, and within an hour, officers had filled up gas tanks for about 80 drivers, police said.

"This is probably the cheapest place in Fort Worth – or in the nation – for fuel today," one driver joked. "Cheap. Free. And you get it pumped."

As the numbers on the pump climbed, another driver summed up the mood: "Man, it feels more than good. I feel like their hearts are just beaming. Just like mine."