McCleary woman says she had no choice when she shot, killed estranged husband
MCCLEARY, Wash. -- A woman says she had no choice but to defend herself and her friend when she shot and killed her estranged husband Wednesday night at a McCleary home.
The man had a domestic violence protection order against him and she says he broke in and attacked them with a knife.
The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office says this all unfolded at about 9:25 p.m. Wednesday in the 400 block of West Elma Hicklin Road on the outskirts of town.
The 47-year-old estranged husband broke in and was confronted by a 60-year-old man, a friend of the woman.
“A struggle ensued with the man with the knife and a 36-year-old female who was home at the time was able to shoot the suspect with the knife fatally wounding him,” said Undersheriff Brad Johansson.
The woman, who said her name was Aubrey, said she wanted to make a brief statement.
“Life is precious,” she said. “Rage is real,” referring to the reason she got the protection order a couple of months ago and filed for divorce.
She added, “If it’s your life or theirs, you have to do what you have to do.”
She said her friend was being attacked, and she had no choice but to grab a handgun and shoot.
Then she concluded, “Cherish every moment of life.”
The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is still ongoing, but it appears to be self defense.
“At this point that nothing seems out of the ordinary,” said Johansson. " It appears that the male subject entered the residence forcibly and the home owner protected herself.”
Because of that, she was not arrested.
