Michigan man fatally shot wife a day after she served him divorce papers, officials say

A Michigan man arrested in connection with the shooting death of his wife informed police he killed her a day after she served him divorce papers, MLive reported. The suspect, identified as Marcus Durayalle Lofton, is currently being held without bond on open murder and felony firearm charges.

Grand Rapids police said officers found Alicia Danielle Lofton with several gunshot wounds to the head and body after responding to a shots fired call on August 17. The victim’s body was found outside a home at Union Avenue SE.

Authorities later located Lofton after linking him to the killing. The couple reportedly got married only in February. In the wake of the killing, Lofton told detectives during an interview that he fatally shot his way a day after she served him divorce papers and notified him about her intention to sell the house. Lofton had also been ordered not to contact Alicia because of domestic violence allegations. The suspect was arrested over that in May.

Lofton, however, flouted that order and established contact with his deceased wife on August 17. The affidavit stated that he informed detectives he and his wife argued when he met her, adding that he subsequently got hold of her pistol and attempted to hit her with the weapon, MLive reported.

He also told police that his wife went to a bedroom and locked herself inside after the gun discharged. He also told police he opened the door by force and saw his wife attempting to exit the house via a window.

“Marcus stated he shot Alicia numerous times before he fled in his maroon SUV,” the affidavit stated. 

A GoFundMe has since been set up to help raise funds for Alicia’s children. “Their mother was tragically taken from us on August 17th and with my niece’s permission I wanted to help them in any way possible,” the fundraiser states.