Darrell Long, 63, was convicted Sept. 22 of attempted first-degree murder and related charges after prosecutors say he broke into his ex-wife's Lebanon County home and shot her five times following her child support filing. The victim, Dawn, sustained severe injuries — including an obliterated left index finger and a bullet lodged in her femur — but survived after dragging herself to a bedroom and using an Apple Watch to call 911. Prosecutors say Long sent numerous hostile texts to his son before the attack and showed no remorse at trial, reportedly calling himself a “hero.” He faces sentencing on Dec. 9.
Pennsylvania Man Convicted of Attempted Murder After Shooting Ex-Wife Five Times — Called Himself a 'Hero' at Trial
Darrell LongCredit: Lebanon County Regional Police Department
Darrell Long, 63, was found guilty on Sept. 22 of attempted first-degree murder and several related charges after prosecutors say he broke into his ex-wife's Lebanon County home and shot her five times following her child support filing.
Jurors convicted Long of attempted first-degree murder, burglary, two counts of aggravated assault (one for serious bodily injury and one for bodily injury with a deadly weapon) and misdemeanor harassment. The attack occurred March 25, 2025, at the residence the victim shared with their teenage son.
Attack and Immediate Aftermath
According to Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf, Long entered the home while the victim, identified as Dawn, was napping on the living-room couch. Prosecutors say he first struck her twice in the face with a .22-caliber long rifle and fired multiple shots while she lay defenseless.
Hess Graf detailed the injuries: two early shots struck Dawn's left leg — one passed through the knee and lodged, another struck near the femur — and a later shot shattered her left index finger when she reached toward the rifle. A fourth shot lodged in her right forearm. Bleeding from multiple wounds and fearing for her life, Dawn dragged herself to a bedroom, barricaded the door and used an Apple Watch to place an emergency 911 call. Long fled and locked the door behind him.
Background And Evidence
Prosecutors say the attack was triggered after Dawn filed for divorce in 2023 and later sought child support. In the month leading up to the shooting, Long allegedly sent 23 hostile texts to his son about Dawn, including a message 17 days before the attack claiming he had a clear line of sight into the house and implying threats.
“He's proud of what he did,” District Attorney Pier Hess Graf told reporters, adding that Long reportedly made joking, unrepentant comments at trial and described himself as a “hero” for his actions.
Victim's Condition And Next Steps
Hess Graf said Dawn is recovering but will never fully regain normal function in her left hand and left leg. She continues to experience pain, and a bullet remains lodged in her femur. Long is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 9.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential; support is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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