A 76-year-old newlywed in Florida told police that he shot his wife in the buttocks after she refused to consummate their marriage – more than half a year after their wedding.
Donald Royce, of Lehigh Acres, admitted to deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office that he shot his 62-year-old wife after an argument over sleeping arrangements. The couple married in August after being together for six years.
He was arrested on Saturday following the incident and charged with aggravated battery.
The newlyweds’ roommate said she heard two gunshots, and when she went to see what happened, Royce turned the gun on her. She then convinced Royce to let her call paramedics.
When deputies arrived, Royce told them: ‘I shot her and the gun is in my room’.
He later told deputies that he meant to just scare his wife by shooting into a mattress and he never intended on shooting her.
Royce told deputies he became upset after he accidentally shot her in the buttock and hip.
The woman was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital, where she was treated for gunshot wounds.
She is now recovering at home, and told FOX 4 that the whole situation has been a ‘nightmare’, adding that she didn’t think her husband was capable of such violence.
The woman said she wants people to know that violence against women is never OK.
Royce is being held at the Lee County Jail on a $100,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 6.