A respected travel guru was gunned down on a quiet Houston street while on her way to visit a friend battling cancer, according to authorities.
Marietta Allison, 61, an Austin-based co-founder of a travel company, was fatally shot after parking in the Heights neighbourhood late on Friday. She had just dropped off a close friend after a long day at a hospital and was circling for parking when a masked carjacker confronted her.
Police responding around midnight found Allison lying on a northwest Houston sidewalk with an apparent gunshot wound. She was rushed to a hospital, where she died.
Prosecutors allege the gunman, 18-year-old Darius DeWayne Hall, attempted to snatch Allison's purse. When she fought back, he pulled a gun and shot her once in the neck, according to statements made in court by prosecutor Katie Rogers. Hall then fled in the vehicle belonging to Allison's friend.
Roughly one hour later, officers spotted the stolen car and began a pursuit. The chase stretched for miles before ending in a crash along the Southwest Freeway near Buffalo Speedway. Investigators said Hall ran from the wreck, triggering a tense, hours-long standoff at a nearby townhome community.
Hall faces charges of capital murder, tampering with evidence and evading arrest. Court records show he was already under supervision in juvenile court for multiple prior charges, including aggravated robbery and assault. He is scheduled for a March 23 hearing at which a judge will consider whether to deny bail.
