An Alabama woman has been arrested on charges of attempted murder, burglary and assault after officials say she broke into her estranged husband’s home, shot him and pistol-whipped a woman who was present there.
Lee Ann Matanane, 54, was arrested on Saturday following the armed break-in in the town of Berlin.
According to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, Matanane arrived at her husband’s home wearing all black, forced her way inside and shot 59-year-old Benito Matanane in the upper chest.
Wife charged: Lee Ann Matanane, 54, from Alabama, has been booked on counts of attempted murder, burglary and assault for allegedly shooting her husband in the chest and striking a woman who was with him in the head
The female suspect also allegedly used the firearm to hit the woman who was in the house in the head, reported Cullman Times.
Despite their injuries, the victims put up a fight and were able to wrest the gun out of Matanane’s hands.
Deputies who were called to the scene took the woman into custody and she was booked into the Cullman County jail on $75,000 bond.
On Monday, the sheriff’s office announced formal charges against Matanane, including two counts of attempted murder, one count of burglary and one count of assault.
Mr Matanane and his female companion were listed in stable condition.
Court records show the Matananes have a history of domestic violence.
Lee Ann and Benito Matanane were married in 2002 and separated in March 2017, according to Al.com. They filed for divorce a month later, citing ‘complete incompatibly of temperament.’
Deputies were summoned to this rural road in Berlin, Alabama, after Matanane allegedly forced her way into her spouse’s home wearing all black and attacked him
In January 2018, Mr Matanane, who works as a truck driver, was arrested on a count of reckless endangerment after he allegedly forced his estranged wife off the road. That case is still pending against him.
His criminal record also includes a 2014 arrest on a charge of domestic violence/harassment, which was later dismissed.
Benito was picked up on the same count in October 2017, and that case still has not been resolved. His wife was listed as the victim in both the 2014 and 2017 domestic incidents.
Lee Ann Matanane had no prior criminal history. The couple’s divorce is currently in the process of being finalized.