A Pennsylvania man who brutally attacked his ex-wife with a firearm after she filed for child support has been found guilty of attempted homicide, according to court records. Darrell Long, 63, was convicted by a jury in Lebanon County on charges stemming from a violent March 2025 incident in which he broke into his ex-wife’s home, beat her with the gun, and shot her five times.
Background
The attack occurred on March 25, 2025, at the residence of 57-year-old Dawn Long on North 7th Street in North Lebanon Township, a small municipality located approximately 15 miles northeast of Hershey. Prosecutors stated that Darrell Long broke into the home while his ex-wife was taking a nap. He initially struck her in the face with a .22-caliber firearm before shooting her twice in the left leg.
Despite her injuries, Dawn Long fought back, kicking her ex-husband and attempting to reach for the weapon. According to Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf, Long pointed the gun at her face and fired when she reached for it with her left hand. The bullet obliterated her left index finger but missed her head. As she continued to fight, lunging forward to grab Long, he shot her a fourth time in the right arm, with the bullet lodging in her forearm.
Bleeding from three limbs, Dawn Long dragged herself toward the bedroom to escape. Long shot her a fifth time in the right leg as she fled. She then smashed her Apple Watch to trigger an emergency 911 call. Long fled the scene upon realizing that law enforcement and the couple’s son were arriving. Dawn Long was rushed to a nearby hospital and underwent four surgeries due to the extensive damage inflicted during the assault.
The Charges
Following a two-day trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts on Wednesday against Darrell Long. He was convicted of one count each of attempted homicide, burglary, and harassment, as well as two separate counts of aggravated assault. The conviction relied on evidence detailing Long’s planned intent to kill his ex-wife, including a series of 23 text messages sent to their son containing what prosecutors described as 'hateful and nasty' comments about Dawn Long.
District Attorney Pier Hess Graf stated that the defendant showed no remorse or accountability during the proceedings. 'The Defendant committed a planned, extremely violent attempt on the victim's life,' Graf said in a statement obtained by ABC affiliate WHTM. 'He shot his ex-wife five (5) times – it is clear he wanted her to die, but he failed.'
Graf noted that Long remained proud of his actions, blaming the victim for provoking the violence. 'He's proud of what he did. He still blames the victim for making him shoot her,' Graf told People magazine. The prosecutor added that Long made domestic violence jokes, claiming he was a 'hero' for doing what '99% of men wish they could do.'
Key Takeaways
- Darrell Long, 63, was found guilty of attempted homicide, burglary, harassment, and two counts of aggravated assault.
- The attack occurred on March 25, 2025, in North Lebanon Township, Pa., after the victim filed for child support.
- Long shot his ex-wife, Dawn Long, five times and beat her with the gun, causing her to undergo four surgeries.
- Prosecutors presented 23 text messages from Long to his son as evidence of his intent and lack of remorse.
- The final text message, sent 18 minutes after the 911 call, read in part: 'I have nothing you still control everything now life for a life.'
- Long called himself a 'hero' and blamed the victim for 'making him shoot her' during the trial.
- One of the five bullets remains lodged in the victim's femur.
What's Next
Darrell Long is currently slated to be sentenced on Dec. 9. He faces decades behind bars for the conviction. While Dawn Long has largely recovered from the physical trauma, District Attorney Graf noted that she will continue to live with permanent injuries and pain, stating, 'Her left hand will always be different. Her left leg will always be different. And she has pain.'