ELMA, N.Y. (TCD) — Officials have arrested a 61-year-old man accused of fatally shooting his longtime girlfriend with a crossbow inside their shared home last week.
On Wednesday, Dec. 13, at around 5 p.m., the Erie County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 1800 block of West Blood Road, where they found a 62-year-old woman, identified by WGRZ-TV as Jill Harris, dead inside. The victim’s boyfriend and suspect, Frank Litterio, was transported to a hospital via ambulance to treat apparent self-inflicted injuries.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators believe Litterio shot the victim with a crossbow while they were in the living room.
Erie County Undersheriff William Cooley told WGRZ, “The autopsy revealed that she had been struck three times by arrows, once in the abdomen, once in the face, and once in the chest.”
Cooley added, “When you consider what it takes to load and fire a crossbow, there’s a process to it, so this was clearly a deliberate action.”
Flynn reportedly called it a “horrific scene.”
Litterio was charged with one count of second-degree murder.
In a news release, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn announced that Litterio was arraigned on Friday, Dec. 15, at Erie County Medical Center, “where he remains hospitalized in a secure unit.”
Litterio is scheduled for a felony hearing on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. He remains held without bail and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
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