Suspect Arrested for Murder of Temple Econo Lodge Owner

Temple police have arrested a suspect in the murder of a local motel owner.

28-year-old Montreal Devin Wright of Temple was arrested during a traffic stop on North General Bruce Drive around 10:30 PM Saturday. The officers who stopped him recognized him from a murder warrant description, took him into custody, and transported him to the Bell County Jail.

Jail records indicate Wright was booked at 11:25 PM and charged with first degree murder. He remained in the Bell County Jail Monday morning in lieu of bonds totaling $500,000.

Wright is accused of fatally injuring 44-year-old Manish Patel in the early morning hours of February 12.

Patel owned the Econo Lodge at 1001 N General Bruce Dr. Police were called to the motel around 3:48 AM on Tuesday, February 12, where the discovered a severely injured Patel. The man was transported to Baylor Scott and White Hospital, where he remained in critical condition before passing away on Sunday, February 17.

Police have not yet released further details.