Twenty-seven-year-old Darius Lovings is being held on a $350,000 bond and is facing capital murder charges after a crime spree that he told police was prompted by voices in his head telling him to “find victims.” Lovings is allegedly responsible for the June 24 shooting death of 34-year-old Department of Public Safety employee William Ervin. Police say the victim was trying to help Lovings, who pretended to be a motorist in distress before pulling a gun on Ervin on Sprinkle Cutoff Road. Lovings is also alleged to have pulled a gun on another passing motorist prior to Ervin’s murder; that motorist sped off and was not injured. Police say that as part of his Sunday crime spree Lovings also carjacked a couple near the intersection of Airport Boulevard and Springdale Road; police later arrested him Downtown near 10th and San Jacinto streets, where he was caught driving the couple’s car. Lovings could face up to life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
This article appears in July 6 • 2012.