Dallas Police Say “Emotional Affair” May Have Led to the Murder of American Airlines IT Executive

Darrin Lopez

DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – There’s been an arrest in the fatal shooting of an American Airlines IT director in Dallas and police believe an  “emotional affair” may have lead to the murder.

Dallas Police said 48-year-old Darrin Lopez was taken into custody Monday after investigators allege he drove from Tennessee to Oak Cliff October 9, 2020 to kill his ex-girlfriend’s husband James “Jamie” Faith.

The Dickson County Sheriff’s Department in Charlotte, Tennessee said Lopez in jail and awaiting extradition to North Texas. Investigators believe that James Faith’s wife Jennifer had been communicating with Lopez for months.

The Oak Cliff community was shocked when James was gunned down and Jennifer had been tied up while walking their dog in their neighborhood but the motive remained unclear.

According to an affidavit, he died the day after the couple’s 15th wedding anniversary.

After conducting a cell phone analysis of Jennifer’s phone, investigators said between September 30, 2020 and October 30, 2020, she and Lopez exchanged 14,363 calls and text messages.

At the time of the murder, Jennifer told police that a masked man approached the couple and shot James. When officers arrived at the scene, James was found dead on the ground from several gunshot wounds.

The affidavit states that Jennifer told detectives the suspect duct taped her hands, hit her and tried unsuccessfully to steal her jewelry.

Investigators said she also told police she knew the man’s eyes were black but was unable to identify him due to his hooded jacket and blue face mask.

Over the course of the investigation, police released surveillance footage of a black Nissan truck with a Texas Rangers sticker on the back believed to be connected to the killing.

Investigators eventually learned that Lopez’ truck matched the description of the suspect’s vehicle. Surveillance video also showed that Lopez’ clothing and truck matched the witness descriptions.

Lopez’ bail has not been set and Jennifer Faith has not been charged in connection to her husband’s murder.

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