Fugitive stabs girlfriend, assaults man, steals cars, and kills retired police chief in wrong-way crash
Cops & Congress commentary: Preventing tragedies through stricter laws
In a tragic and chaotic series of events, Ryan Ricky Houston, 41, a fugitive wanted for multiple violent crimes, died in a wrong-way collision that also claimed the life of recently retired Marshall Police Chief Mike Boone, 54. The incidents unfolded over a tense 48-hour period, leaving a trail of violence and tragedy across western North Carolina.
August 1: Initial car crash and stabbing
Late on August 1, a North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper spotted a black Mercedes sedan speeding over 100 mph on Interstate 40 in McDowell County. The vehicle crashed near Parker Padgett Road, where the trooper discovered Houston and a severely injured woman, later identified as Malerie Lauren Crisp, 41, of Asheville. Crisp had been stabbed and succumbed to her injuries at a nearby hospital. While the trooper attended to Crisp, Houston fled the scene.
August 2: Home invasion and continued flight
Shortly after midnight, Houston forced entry into a McDowell County home, assaulted the homeowner, CW Barrier, stole a firearm, and fled in a stolen Dodge Dakota. This vehicle was later found near Exit 90 on I-40. Houston then stole a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 truck from Skyline Marine. Barrier remains in critical condition. His family told the ABC affiliate, WLOS, that he suffered a broken nose and several facial fractures.
August 2: Fatal collision on I-26
Later that day, the stolen truck was found near a residence in Arden, where Houston stole a 2019 Jaguar. Driving the wrong way on Interstate 26, Houston collided head-on with a vehicle driven by recently retired Police Chief Mike Boone. Both men died in the fiery crash. Boone had just retired after a distinguished 32-year career in law enforcement.
Confirmation and aftermath
On August 5, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed that Houston was the second driver in the fatal collision. Boone, who had been working part-time at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, was driving home to his wife when the crash occurred.
Despite having a successful landscaping business, Lawn-N-Order, Houston's criminal activities spanned years. In court filings, his wife said she found him overdosed on fentanyl, and that he was an alcoholic, with a history of physical and emotional abuse. The court records say she felt he was “above the law” and “suicidal.” They had since separated. When she attempted to get a protective order in 2023, he shot a deputy outside the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. Houston was out on bond for attempted first-degree murder and assault on a law enforcement official charges at the time of his death.
Community Impact
The deaths of Boone and Crisp, along with the violent actions of Houston, have profoundly impacted the communities involved. McDowell County Sheriff Ricky Buchanan expressed his condolences, acknowledging the collective efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement in responding to the crisis.
"This is a terrible tragedy for several communities and families. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved," Buchanan said.
Boone, a Yancey County native, served the last 10 years as Marshall police chief. He also worked for the Greensboro Police Department, Burnsville Police Department, Madison County Sheriff's Office and part-time with A-B Tech. He told the The News-Record & Sentinel on July 31 that he was retiring due to a state mandate. He planned to work part-time for a law enforcement agency near Paducah, Kentucky and live by a lake. Those plans were cut tragically short by Ryan Houston.
In June 1994, while working with the Yancey County Sheriff's Office, Boone and another officer were shot by a man with a sniper rifle during a confrontation outside the Yancey County courthouse, in which magistrate W. Randy Thomas, a good friend of Boone’s, was shot and killed.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a dedicated police chief and a woman remembered for her vibrant personality.
Cops & Congress commentary: Preventing tragedies through stricter laws
Why did this happen?
The heartbreaking series of events that led to two deaths and the assault of another individual is a stark reminder of the consequences of lenient laws around bonds and pre-trial services. Ryan Houston, a man with a violent history, was free on bond when he committed these heinous acts. If Houston had been in jail where he belonged, two innocent lives would not have been lost, and a third person would not have been assaulted. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter laws to keep dangerous individuals off the streets.
What can you do?
Contact your state legislator:
Reach out to your state legislator and demand stricter laws regarding bonds and pre-trial services. Express your concern about the current system that allows violent offenders to be released back into the community. Encourage them to introduce or support legislation that mandates higher bonds for individuals charged with violent crimes and ensures they remain in custody until their trial. You can also contact the Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission.
Support community advocacy groups:
Get involved with or donate to advocacy groups that are pushing for criminal justice reform. These organizations work tirelessly to bring about changes in the legal system that prioritize public safety and the rights of victims over the leniency towards offenders. Your support can help amplify their efforts and bring about meaningful change.
Stay informed and vote:
Educate yourself about the positions of local and state candidates on criminal justice issues. Vote for those who advocate for tougher laws on violent offenders and support reforms that keep communities safe. By staying informed and participating in the electoral process, you can help ensure that the leaders in charge are committed to making necessary changes in the justice system.
The tragic events involving Ryan Houston highlight a critical flaw in our current legal system. Lenient bond laws and pre-trial services that prioritize the rights of offenders over public safety must be re-evaluated. By taking action and advocating for stricter laws, we can prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future and protect our communities from dangerous individuals. Your voice and your vote are powerful tools in driving this change.
This article is free to read due to generous support from founding member subscribers. Thank you. Please support my future work. (ICYMI: Six reasons to support my independent journalism)
🏛️ All those mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Learn more about this newsletter and my background. Follow me on X (Twitter), Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Send constructive criticism, fan mail and tips with public documents for future stories: CopsandCongress@gmail.com.
(Free subscribers: Upgrade to paid to leave a comment below and don’t miss out on exclusive content.)