Patricia Conlon, a Dallas resident, was apprehended by law enforcement on Sunday in connection with the fatal shooting of her daughter’s boyfriend, 34-year-old Joshua Troutte. The 49-year-old woman alleges that the incident was the culmination of a long history of domestic abuse inflicted on her daughter by Troutte.
The incident took place around 1:50 p.m. at a home on Ash Lane, close to Interstate 30. Upon their arrival, police found Troutte critically injured; he later succumbed to his wounds. At the time of the police’s arrival, Conlon, her daughter, and a roommate were present at the scene.
The arrest warrant affidavit discloses that Conlon’s daughter had been embroiled in an ongoing domestic dispute with Troutte since December 2021. The daughter had reportedly requested her mother’s assistance in packing and leaving the residence on the day of the incident, following a physical altercation with Troutte the day before. However, no official report was filed regarding this altercation.
According to statements from the daughter and the roommate, Conlon entered the residence through a side door, visibly armed. Initially, Conlon informed the police that she had a gun in her purse, but later confessed to entering the residence with the weapon in her hand.
The affidavit further details that Conlon confronted Troutte in the bathroom, leading to a heated argument and subsequent gunfire. The roommate reported hearing Troutte daring Conlon to shoot him. Conlon, in her interview with detectives, stated that she intended to keep Troutte confined in the bathroom until the police arrived, as he had previously fled the scene before the police could arrive during past instances of abuse.
Conlon also alleged that Troutte physically assaulted her before she pushed him, causing him to fall. She then fired multiple shots, claiming she feared for her life. However, the police contend that Conlon’s intention to detain Troutte at gunpoint may have incited him, leading to the altercation and subsequent shooting. Consequently, they argue that Conlon cannot claim self-defense due to her provocation and the unreasonable use of deadly force.
Conlon was arrested at the scene and charged with Troutte’s murder. As of Wednesday, it was unclear whether she had legal representation.