Marcus Lofton: A Michigan Man Shoots His Wife Alicia Danielle Lofton After She Files for Divorce
On August 17, 2023, Alicia Danielle Lofton, a 38-year-old woman from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was shot and killed by her husband, Marcus Durayalle Lofton, 42, outside their home on Union Avenue SE. The fatal shooting occurred a day after Alicia served Marcus with divorce papers, ending their six-month marriage.
According to court documents, Marcus confessed to the police that he grabbed Alicia’s pistol from a drawer during an argument and tried to hit her with it. He said the gun went off and Alicia ran to another room and locked the door. He then forced the door open and found her trying to climb out a window. He said he shot her multiple times before fleeing in his maroon SUV.
The police found Alicia’s body on the ground beside the house with multiple gunshot wounds to her head and body. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Marcus was arrested later that day and charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He is being held without bail at the Kent County Jail.
Marriage & Divorce: A history of abuse and infidelity
Alicia Danielle Lofton and Marcus Lofton got married in February 2023, but their relationship was marred by abuse and infidelity. In May 2023, Alicia obtained a personal protection order against Marcus after he was arrested for domestic violence against her. She also discovered that he was having an affair with another man.
On August 16, 2023, Alicia served Marcus with divorce papers and told him she was selling the house. She also moved out of their home and stayed with a friend.
The next day, Marcus contacted Alicia and asked her to meet him at their house. She agreed, hoping to finalize their divorce peacefully. However, Marcus had other plans.
A shocking crime that shook the community
The shooting of Alicia Lofton shocked the community of Grand Rapids, especially those who knew her personally. Alicia was described by her friends and family as a kind, loving, and hardworking woman who had a bright future ahead of her.
She worked as a nurse at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital and was pursuing a master’s degree in nursing at Grand Valley State University. She also volunteered at a local church and mentored young girls.
Alicia’s death also highlighted the issue of domestic violence in Kent County, where such cases have been on the rise in recent years. According to Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker, domestic violence is one of the most common crimes his office deals with every day.
He said his office is working on establishing a domestic violence court and a lethality review program to identify and respond to high-risk cases more effectively.
He also urged anyone in an abusive relationship to seek help from the national domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233 or from local resources such as Safe Haven Ministries or YWCA West Central Michigan.
| Name | Age | Occupation | Relationship status | Cause of death | Date of death | Suspect | Charges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alicia Danielle Lofton | 38 | Nurse | Married (divorcing) | Multiple gunshot wounds | August 17, 2023 | Marcus Durayalle Lofton | First-degree murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony |
