Inset: Douglas Ervin (Dallas County Jail). Background: The 1100 block of Wake Drive in Richardson, Tex. (Google Maps).
An 81-year-old man in Texas is being accused of using a shotgun to murder his roommate. The incident allegedly occurred after the older man claimed that his roommate made a disrespectful comment towards him. The 81-year-old then proceeded to calmly call 911 to report the shooting. When asked if the victim was still alive, he allegedly responded with a cold “nah, he’s dead,” the police claim.
The accused, Douglas Ervin, resides in Richardson, a suburb of Dallas. He now faces a murder charge in connection to the death of 59-year-old Gregory Johnson. The tragic event took place at their shared home on Wake Drive, as confirmed by local law enforcement authorities.
Following the shooting, Ervin dialed 911 himself to report the incident. Police apprehended him at the residence without any issues. During the investigation, authorities found a shotgun at the scene of the crime. As of now, the motive behind Ervin’s actions remains under investigation. Fortunately, a third roommate who was present during the shooting was unharmed.
When officers arrived last Thursday night, they found Ervin outside and reportedly asked who else was inside the home. “The guy I shot and [the other roommate],” Ervin’s arrest affidavit says, according to local Fox affiliate KDFW.
Johnson was found dead outside of a bedroom in the home, police say. It’s unclear whether the other roommate witnessed the shooting or not.
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After being taken into custody, Ervin allegedly told police that he and Ervin were feuding and Johnson made a rude comment toward him while walking past Ervin’s bedroom, which prompted him to retrieve the shotgun and start shooting. He claimed Johnson was a bad roommate who would often leave the front door open and lights on, KDFW reports.
According to police, Ervin allegedly admitted that Johnson was unarmed and not advancing toward him in any threatening way.
Online records show that Ervin is being held at the Dallas County Jail on a bond of $200,000.
