A 63-year-old man from Pennsylvania has been convicted of attempted first-degree murder after a shocking attack on his ex-wife. Darrell Long was found guilty on September 22 for breaking into the home of his former spouse, Dawn, and shooting her five times. The traumatic incident took place in Lebanon County on March 25, 2025, while Dawn was napping in their home, where she was alone with their teenage son.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Darrell-Long-092426-df40d3ccfb844cb493df0863f6b34211.jpg)
Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf revealed the details of the harrowing attack, stating that Long assaulted his ex-wife with a .22 calibre rifle. Dawn was reportedly unarmed and utterly defenceless when Long found her asleep on the couch. He first struck her in the face twice before shooting her twice in the leg, one bullet striking her knee and the other her thigh.
The situation escalated dramatically as Dawn fought back against her assailant. After sustaining severe injuries, she attempted to seize the weapon from Long, which resulted in him shooting her again, this time injuring her left hand. The bullet shattered her index finger, but Dawn did not relent. In a desperate bid for survival, she managed to throw Long to the ground and attempted to gain control of the gun.
Despite her efforts, Long shot her a fourth time, hitting her right arm. With blood loss from multiple injuries, Dawn was left with no option but to drag herself to her bedroom, where she barricaded the door and managed to call 911 using her Apple Watch.
Long fled the scene, and district attorney Hess Graf speculated that his departure was precipitated by the imminent arrival of law enforcement and the possibility of their son returning home. Graf expressed concern about what could have occurred had the son arrived during the attack: “It’s heartbreaking what could have happened and didn’t,” she remarked.
Before the assault, Long had been exhibiting troubling behaviour, having sent numerous aggressive text messages to his son about Dawn. These messages, filled with hostility, are believed to have stemmed from Dawn’s efforts to secure child support. Hess Graf noted that Long seemed to lose control upon receiving the child support notice, prompting the dire attack.
The lack of accountability displayed by Long following the incident raised alarms for the prosecution. Graf highlighted that he continued to exhibit a dismissive attitude, making jokes about domestic violence and suggesting that he was a ‘hero’ for his actions. He is reported to have maintained that Dawn was to blame for his violent behaviour, further indicating a disturbing lack of remorse.
As for Dawn, her resilience shone through despite the ordeal she suffered. Graf noted that while she is making progress in her recovery, she will face lifelong physical challenges as a result of her injuries. “Her left hand will always be different. Her left leg will always be different. And she has pain,” said Graf, mentioning that a bullet remains lodged in her femur.
Long is set to face sentencing on December 9. The case has sparked discussions around domestic violence and the urgent need for awareness and support systems for victims. The National Domestic Violence Hotline remains a crucial resource for individuals facing similar situations. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, support is available through the 24/7 hotline at 1-800-799-7233, which offers assistance in over 170 languages.