Police car at the scene of a criminal related incident

Longview, TX – A Texas man faces murder charges after allegedly shooting his wife and attempting suicide. Lavan Bullock, 66, is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of 62-year-old Kathleen Bullock.

The Longview Police Department received a welfare check call on Wednesday afternoon regarding the couple’s home. Officers found Kathleen Bullock deceased from a gunshot wound inside a bathroom.

Court documents indicate Lavan Bullock confessed to the murder in a text message, stating he “lost [his] mind” and shot his wife.

Following his arrest, Lavan Bullock was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries before being booked into the Gregg County Jail.

Documents reveal he texted a friend after the incident, stating he took 30 sleeping pills in an attempt to end his life.

In the communication, Lavan Bullock attributed the shooting to years of abuse from his wife.

According to reports, Kathleen Bullock had asked for a divorce a month prior to the shooting, heightening tensions between the couple.

Neighbors reported Lavan Bullock expressed suspicions of infidelity involving his wife.

In his texts, Lavan Bullock instructed his friend to contact a preacher and urged caution for the couple’s daughter, writing, “Thank you my friend! I’m so sorry to end it this way!”

A judge set his bond at $1 million during a September arraignment. He remains in custody at the Gregg County Jail.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.