Spotsylvania Man Fatally Shot His 85-Year-Old Wife: Police

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — A man shot and killed his wife in Spotsylvania County on Wednesday night, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office said.

Authorities identified the victim as 85-year-old Patsy Howard. She was pronounced dead at Mary Washington Hospital.

Howard's husband, 80-year-old David Howard, was arrested. He is charged with second degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

David Howard is being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

If convicted of both charges, Howard could spend the rest of his life in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

The shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m. in the 4000 block of Bonnie Brae Court, authorities said. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

First responders took the victim to Mary Washington Hospital, where she died of her injuries.

There are a number of resources available to victims of domestic abuse in Virginia. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be found at 1-800-799-7233. Virginia's family violence hotline can be reached at 1-800-838-8238.