DALLAS, TX — A Dallas woman has been arrested in North Carolina on charges she shot her ex-husband 18 times after using a fake pizza delivery to lure him outside his home in March.
Marquita Marie Rice, 31, was taken into custody May 26 in Wake Forest, North Carolina, by U.S. Marshals and local police on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and family violence. The arrest closes a months-long investigation into a March 1 shooting that left her ex-husband critically wounded but alive after he was ambushed at his front door in the 1800 block of Sedona Lane in Dallas’ Redbird area.
The shooting occurred around 4:15 p.m. when a delivery driver brought a bag of food to the victim’s front door, according to Dallas police reports. Surveillance footage shows Rice waiting in dark clothing near the garage, just out of sight. As soon as the victim opened the door to collect what he believed was a pizza delivery, Rice rushed forward and began shooting. The victim was struck 18 times during the attack. Police said the victim never ordered the pizza, leading investigators to conclude the shooting was premeditated. Detective Michael Bui told reporters that Rice fled the scene but returned to fire additional shots at her ex-husband.
Rice was identified through distinctive tail lights on her Chevrolet Trax, which she used to flee the scene, according to Detective Bui. The vehicle had been rented in Rice’s name, providing the crucial link investigators needed. “The taillights make a big difference for my case,” Bui said. Police tracking showed Rice had driven extensive distances before and after the shooting, traveling “all the way from Georgia to Dallas and back, and from Savannah, from Raleigh to Georgia to Dallas.” The victim survived the attack despite being shot 18 times and was hospitalized in critical condition. Police have not released the victim’s name, citing the domestic violence nature of the case.
Detective Bui said this was the first case he had encountered where an ex-spouse carried out such an elaborate shooting plot. The fake delivery scheme represents an unusual level of planning in domestic violence cases, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation. Dallas police worked with multiple agencies to track Rice’s movements across several states following the shooting. The investigation involved analyzing surveillance footage from the scene, rental car records, and cellular phone data to establish Rice’s whereabouts and travel patterns. Court documents indicate Rice and the victim had been divorced but investigators have not disclosed details about their relationship or potential motives for the attack.
Rice is currently being held at Wake County jail in North Carolina on a $1 million bond while fighting extradition back to Texas. She faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon enhanced by family violence allegations, which carry potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison under Texas law. The case highlights growing concerns about domestic violence and the lengths some perpetrators will go to harm former spouses. Dallas police statistics show domestic violence cases involving firearms have increased 15% over the past two years, though elaborate staging like fake deliveries remains extremely rare.
The Redbird neighborhood where the shooting occurred has experienced increased police patrols since the March incident. Residents reported feeling unsafe after learning about the premeditated nature of the attack. “It’s scary to think someone could plan something like this,” said Maria Gonzalez, who lives two blocks from the shooting site. Local delivery drivers have also expressed concerns about being unknowingly used in violent schemes. Several pizza companies in the Dallas area have implemented additional verification procedures for orders following the incident.
Police continue working with North Carolina authorities to extradite Rice back to Dallas County to face trial. Detective Bui encourages anyone with additional information about the case to contact Dallas police. The victim has recovered from his physical injuries but the psychological impact of surviving 18 gunshot wounds continues, according to sources close to the investigation. A court hearing on Rice’s extradition is expected within the next 30 days.
