Pontiac Police: Female sustains gunshot wound during domestic dispute

Erich Murphy, Pontiac Daily Leader
·2 min read

A shooting incident on the 500 block of West Howard Street left a Pontiac woman wounded and a Pontiac man in custody after an apparent domestic dispute in the early hours of Wednesday, July 5.

According to a report from the Pontiac Police Department, a male reported at 2:07 a.m. that a female was bleeding. “Once on scene, responding units were advised by the caller that an argument led to a female being shot inside the residence,” police said in the press release.

The victim is a 49-year-old woman whose identity had not been released.

According to the report, she was bleeding from an apparent gunshot wound the left shoulder area. The victim was transported to OSF Saint James—John W. Albrecht Medical Center before being taken by helicopter to Peoria.

Livingston County State's Attorney Mike Regnier, left, discusses the situation in the 500 block of West Howard Street residence with an investigator Wednesday morning. A 49-year-old female was apparently shot earlier in the morning at the 512 W. Howard St. residence.
Livingston County State's Attorney Mike Regnier, left, discusses the situation in the 500 block of West Howard Street residence with an investigator Wednesday morning. A 49-year-old female was apparently shot earlier in the morning at the 512 W. Howard St. residence.

The report stated that the caller said there had been an argument that led to the shooting. Police said a handgun and several other items were at the scene at 512 W. Howard St. The report did not delve into what type of evidence was collected.

Police learned during the initial investigation that the caller — 37-year-old, Eric Paulson — was also the alleged shooter, the report stated. It was also noted that Paulson claimed ownership of the gun. Police said Paulson is in revoked FOID status.

Paulson was taken into custody and was being held pending formal charges and a bond hearing. He faces charges of aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated domestic battery, reckless discharge of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

As of noon Wednesday, the victim was still being treated and the incident remained under investigation.

Pontiac Police said that Illinois State Police Crime Scene personnel were assisting in processing the scene and that Livingston County Sheriff’s Police provided assistance. Livingston County State's Attorney Mike Regnier was on the scene with investigators later in the morning.

This residence in the 500 block of West Howard Street was the scene of an early-morning shooting incident on Wednesday, July 5. The victim, a 49-year-old female, was taken to OSF Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center and then to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria by LifeFlight.
This residence in the 500 block of West Howard Street was the scene of an early-morning shooting incident on Wednesday, July 5. The victim, a 49-year-old female, was taken to OSF Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center and then to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria by LifeFlight.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Pontiac Police: Female sustains gunshot wound during domestic dispute