A Pennsylvania man who shot his former wife five times after she filed for child support has been convicted of attempted first-degree murder and other offences.
Darrell Long, 63, was found guilty on Tuesday over the attack on Dawn at her home in Lebanon County in March 2025. Prosecutors said he entered the property while she was asleep on her living-room sofa.
They alleged that Long attacked her with a .22-calibre rifle before opening fire. Dawn was struck in the leg and hand, with one bullet passing through her knee and another hitting her thigh.
As Long pointed the rifle towards her face, prosecutors said Dawn fought back and reached for the weapon. She put her hand in front of the gun, causing the shot to strike her hand instead of her head and destroying her left index finger.
Dawn survived the attack and was able to call 999.
Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf said prosecutors believed Long wanted his former wife to know who was attacking her. She said he believed “every woman needs to be taught a lesson” and portrayed himself as a hero for his actions.
Ms Hess Graf also said Long remained proud of the shooting and continued to blame Dawn for what happened, claiming she was responsible for his decision to attack her.
Long was convicted of attempted first-degree murder, burglary, aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and harassment.
The jury heard that the attack followed Dawn’s child support application. Prosecutors described it as an unprovoked assault on an unarmed woman in her own home.
Long is due to be sentenced for the convictions.
