BRIDGEVILLE, Del.- A 74-year-old man is facing murder and related charges following accusations that he shot and killed in ex-wife in Bridgeville on Wednesday night.
Delaware State Police said that shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday, troopers were dispatched to the 11000 block of Abbys Way for a reported shooting. Police said the investigation revealed that Ronald Donaway, of Millsboro, went to the home, which was occupied by his 70-year-old ex-wife and her 23-year-old grandson. Troopers said that while outside, Donaway used a rifle to fire shots into the windows of the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms. The 70-year-old woman was struck by gunfire in the kitchen where she died from her wounds.
Police said that as Donaway was shooting into the home, the grandson went out of a bedroom window and escaped uninjured. The suspect then entered the home for a short period of time before fleeing the area in a black Kia. As troopers were on their way to the scene, a traffic stop was conducted on Donaway’s vehicle at the entrance of the community and he was taken into custody without incident.
Donaway was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 5 and charged with first-degree murder (felony), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Home Invasion (Felony), and first-degree Reckless Endangering. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court #3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of a $900,000 cash bond.
This incident remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit. Anyone with information to assist with the investigation is asked to contact Det. Mark Csapo by calling 302-741-2729 or emailing mark.csapo@delaware.gov.