Texas Woman Killed in Suspected Carjacking

A Texas woman was tragically shot and killed by a suspected car thief while visiting her best friend undergoing cancer treatment. Marietta Allison had traveled from Austin to Houston on March 6 to support her friend, Kathy Daniel, during her chemotherapy sessions for stage four ovarian cancer.

After a long day at the hospital, where Alison provided care during Daniel’s treatment, the two friends headed to a nearby residence around 10:30 p.m. Since there was no available parking, Alison dropped Daniel and her father off before driving around the block in search of a spot.

Things took a horrific turn when gunshots rang out as Daniel was packing up. “We heard screams and then gunshots,” Daniel recounted. “I felt something hit the floor, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure if it was a gunshot.”

Concern grew when Daniel noticed that Alison had parked the car but had not reappeared. “I went to the living room to ask if that had been a gunshot,” she recalled. “Then I checked for Marietta, but there was no response to my calls.”

Realizing something was amiss, Daniel went to the last location where Alison’s phone was active, only to find her lying on the sidewalk, surrounded by police. “She was on the ground, and paramedics were trying to help her. Her purse was right there,” Daniel said, noting that Alison’s wallet had been left behind.

Authorities quickly established that Alison’s car was missing and launched a search for the suspected thief. Sadly, Alison was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries shortly after the incident. “She was shot through the neck and head,” Daniel shared, expressing her heartache.

Law enforcement soon tracked down 18-year-old Darius Dwayne Hall, who was driving the stolen vehicle. A high-speed chase ensued, ultimately leading to Hall crashing and attempting to flee on foot, sparking an hours-long standoff with police.

Describing the tense situation, neighbor Ken Knisley said, “When I opened my door at around 4:15 a.m., I saw an officer with a shield and another behind him with a gun, both positioned at the base of the stairs.”

Hall was arrested around 7 a.m. and charged with murder in connection with Alison’s death. In reflecting on her friend, Daniel chose to celebrate Alison’s kindness. “She was spoon-feeding me fruit while I was in the hospital,” Daniel remembered. “In that moment, I realized how much love she had to give.”

The heartbreak is palpable, and it’s a grim reminder of the violence that can erupt unexpectedly. Houston police have yet to comment regarding the ongoing investigation.