ABC News August 18, 2022

Man allegedly shoots wife with crossbow while she slept on sofa

WATCH: National headlines from ABC News

A 68-year-old man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting his wife with a crossbow while she slept on a sofa in their home.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:13 a.m. on Wednesday morning when authorities in Ottumwa, Iowa, responded to a report that a woman had been shot at a residence in the town, which is located approximately 90 miles southeast of the state capital of Des Moines.

MORE: Man left 3-month-old Husky puppy with mouth taped shut inside hot car while he gambled at Las Vegas casino

The victim, later identified as 68-year-old Lillian Dennison, was reportedly on the sofa when her husband approached her with a crossbow and shot her as she slept, according to a press release published by the Ottumwa Police Department.

Authorities say that Dennison was taken to a local area hospital and treated for minor injuries suffered in the attack. She was subsequently released and is expected to survive.

Ottumwa Police Department / Facebook
George Dennison was arrested in Ottumwa, Iowa, and charged with attempt to commit murder along with domestic abuse assault after he allegedly shot his wife with a crossbow while she slept, say the Ottumwa Police Department.

Her husband managed to flee the scene of the crime after he allegedly shot her but was located approximately nine hours later, according to police.

"Later that morning at approximately 10:00 a.m., officers from the Ottumwa Police Department and the Wapello County Sheriff's Department arrested George Edward Dennison, age 68, near the wooded area around Evergreen and Mable in Ottumwa," police said in a statement.

MORE: Soccer player dies after massive brawl during game was sparked by disagreement with referee's decision

George Dennison was arrested and taken into custody and charged with attempt to commit murder along with domestic abuse assault. Authorities did not disclose any possible motives in this case.

He is now being held on these charges in the Wapello County Jail with a $50,000 cash only bond but it is unclear when he will be appearing in court.