Woman staggers to neighbor’s home for help after being shot in the head during domestic incident

HARRISON TWP. — New details released Tuesday are showing how a 55-year-old woman was able to escape a domestic violence shooting at a Harrison Twp. house.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 64-year-old man dead, woman injured after shooting from domestic incident in Harrison Township

As News Center 7 previously reported, a 55-year-old woman got shot in the 700 block of Wilbur Avenue late Sunday night and was able to walk to her neighbor’s house for help. Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies revealed on Tuesday that she was able to do that not only after being shot in the arm but after she was also shot in the head.

When they got to the scene, deputies discovered what they believed to be another example of a tragic domestic violence situation.

As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, Chief Deputy Matt Haines said deputies had been out to the home on Wilbur Avenue about nine times in the last year and a half. When they returned on Sunday, they rushed the woman to the hospital and noted that she couldn’t initially communicate effectively.

“In this case, the victim was shot in the head. That could also have played a role in what her speech pattern was like,” Haines said.

>> RELATED: Coroner IDs man dead after shooting from domestic incident in Harrison Township

Deputies told News Center 7 that they went into the home and found 64-year-old Donzie Arnette dead. They believe he turned the gun on himself after shooting his girlfriend, identified by friends as Heather Delk.

“Most survivors call the police because they want the violence to stop, they don’t want the relationship [to be] over. They just need it to stop,” Jane Keiffer, Executive Director of Artemis, said.

She said every case is different and it’s very difficult for victims to leave for many reasons.

“They love this person. Typically abusers are not abusive 24/7, there’s reasons that we fell in love, we really believe they can change, [and] they tell us they’re going to change,” she said.

Deputies said in the last 36 hours, the victim has been slightly upgraded to critical, but stable condition.

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