18-year-old now faces federal charges in Heights murder of Austin woman
Investigators say the murder happened during an attempted armed robbery as the victim visited a friend with cancer
(From left to right): Victim: Marietta Allison, 61. Suspect: Darius Dewayne Hall, 18. (Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)
HOUSTON – An 18-year-old is now facing federal charges in the murder case of a 61-year-old Austin woman who was visiting Houston to support a friend undergoing cancer treatment.
Loved ones identified the victim as Marietta Allison.
Investigators say she was robbed and carjacked Friday night in Houston’s Heights neighborhood after dropping her friend off from chemotherapy treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
18-year-old held without bond in Heights murder of Austin woman
A prosecutor told the court the suspect, Darius Dewayne Hall, confessed to evading police and admitted to being in the vehicle, but denied involvement in the shooting.
Hall appeared in court Saturday morning on a capital murder charge and was ordered held without bond. A judge set his next hearing for Feb. 23.
On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced that Hall faces federal carjacking and firearms charges.
Details of the attack
Houston police say Allison had just parked and was walking toward the apartment near West 20th Street and Lawrence Street when a masked and armed man approached her, attempting to steal her purse. The robber opened fire after she resisted.
Allison was shot in the neck.
Police say the suspect fled in Allison’s vehicle. About 45 minutes later, officers found the car and pursued it for roughly 10 miles before the vehicle crashed.
Investigators say the suspect then entered an empty apartment and a SWAT standoff followed, ending when the suspect surrendered.
Who was Allison?
Friends described Allison as the kind of person who put others first, traveling to Houston to be with the friend she considered a sister during chemotherapy.
“She cut her trip short from Istanbul to take care of her friend when she was diagnosed with cancer and that is who she was,” friend Karin Galindo said. “She was an amazing soul, a bright, bright light in this world, lived her life to the fullest in abundance, lived her life like every day was her last.”
Another friend recalled Allison’s warmth and generosity.
“Marietta was so rooted in love for every single person on this planet regardless of what walk of life you came from,” the friend said.
Hall’s criminal history
Prosecutors say Hall has a juvenile criminal history and was on probation for aggravated robbery, motor vehicle theft and aggravated assault.
He also faces charges of tampering with evidence and evading in the capital murder case.
Court records and prosecutors say Hall picked up an underage girl after stealing the car.
The girl told police Hall had two guns in the vehicle and used expletives when asked where he got the car, according to prosecutors.
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