85-year-old woman shot in DeSoto County; shooter still on the run

The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a person who fired more than 20 shots into an 85-year-old woman’s bedroom, critically injured her Monday night.

According to DCSO, a late-night shooting occurred just before 11:45 p.m., in the 1000 block of the Golden Melody Subdivision.

The woman, identified as Elmer Wilson, was taken to Lee Memorial for treatment, where she is in critical condition and still fighting for her life. The gunman is still on the run.

“It was almost like 11:30. I turned my back to get ready to go to bed also, so next thing I know I heard gunshots,” said Evelyn Brown, Wilson’s daughter.

Brown said she called out to her three family members to make sure everyone was okay. She soon realized her 85-year-old mother was hit.

Detectives say the bullets actually made their way through concrete and into a bedroom window, hitting Wilson three times.

“I didn’t go in her room because I was too scared,” Brown said. “I didn’t wanna see her like that. But I told her to just sit still, and we will call 911 and they were here in a matter of time.”

Wilson took three bullets in her legs.

“My granddaughter’s bedroom is close to hers, so she woke up screaming, but I didn’t hear the scream because my bedroom is up there and the shots were so loud, so I did not hear, but she did scream,” Brown said.

Police believe Wilson wasn’t the intended target and won’t say who might have been.

Brown hopes the person responsible is caught.

“They need to find who did that, who shot the house and shot my mom,” she said.

Police say finding the shooter is their top priority.

Anyone with information about this senseless crime, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 863-993-4700. If you wish to remain anonymous you can also contact our TIP line: 1-800-780-TIPS.