Longview, TX – A Texas man is facing a first-degree murder charge after authorities say he fatally shot his wife inside their home, then attempted to take his own life moments later. The case has drawn significant attention due to the troubling mix of jealousy, accusations of infidelity, and the wife’s recent request for a divorce—all factors that investigators say may have contributed to the deadly confrontation.
Welfare Check Leads to Tragic Discovery
Officers with the Longview Police Department were dispatched to the couple’s residence on Sept. 22 for what was initially a welfare check. According to information, police forced entry when no one answered the door and discovered 62-year-old Kathleen Bullock dead in a bathroom from a gunshot wound.
Investigators identified her husband, 66-year-old Lavan Bullock, as the primary suspect in the shooting. Authorities reported that he was found nearby with what appeared to be self-inflicted injuries.
Suspect’s Messages Revealed Key Details
Court documents revealed that before police arrived, Lavan allegedly sent a text message confessing to the killing. In the message, he reportedly wrote that he had “lost [his] mind” and shot his wife following years of personal conflict.
Additional text messages uncovered by detectives show that Lavan contacted a friend immediately after the shooting. According to the arrest affidavit, the suspect told the friend he had taken 30 sleeping pills in an attempt to end his own life.
Police say one of the texts from Lavan to his friend read:
“Thank you my friend! I’m so sorry to end it this way!”
Another message reportedly claimed that he acted because he believed years of physical and emotional abuse pushed him beyond control—an allegation that has not been publicly verified.
Divorce Request and Suspicions of Infidelity
Investigators also documented that Kathleen had asked for a divorce roughly one month before the shooting. During interviews, the friend told officers that Lavan became increasingly distressed after his wife mentioned separating.
Neighbors further informed police that Lavan suspected Kathleen of having an affair, though officers have not confirmed any such activity. Authorities believe these suspicions may have intensified tensions inside the home in the weeks leading up to the incident.
The case highlights a pattern commonly seen in domestic violence-related homicides, where fear of separation or jealousy escalates into lethal violence. Experts note that requests for divorce often represent one of the highest-risk periods for victims attempting to leave a long-term relationship.
Police Response and Medical Treatment
Following his arrest, police stated that Lavan was taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries linked to his reported suicide attempt. Once medically stable, he was transferred to the Gregg County Jail, where he remains in custody.
Authorities say they recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting inside the home. Detectives continue to review the digital messages, phone records, and witness statements to establish a complete timeline of events.
Charges and Current Status
Lavan Bullock has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife. During his arraignment in September, a judge ordered him to be held on a $1 million bond. He has not yet entered a plea, and no trial date has been set.
The incident remains under investigation as prosecutors prepare the case. Authorities urge anyone experiencing domestic conflict or fearing harm to seek help through local support organisations, hotlines, or police intervention.
Domestic violence advocates emphasise that situations like this are warning signs that should never be ignored. They encourage individuals to speak out if they or someone they know is experiencing threats, escalating arguments, or signs of controlling behaviour.
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