North Carolina Woman Accused of Murdering Her Abusive Boyfriend Who Shot Her Last Year.

A Gastonia, North Carolina woman is behind bars and facing murder charges after she allegedly shot and killed her abusive boyfriend. Reports say that 31-year-old Valencia Ferrari McLean shot and killed Willie Breeden, 33, Sunday in their River Trace home. Police were called to the home shortly after 2p.m. for a call related to a domestic shooting. When they arrived they found Breeden with a gunshot wound. He was taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the chest and later died.

According to court documents, this isn't the first time there was a shooting between McLean and Breeden. In April of 2019 Ms. McLean was shot by Breeden and he was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.

"According to warrants, Breeden assaulted McLean with an AR-15 style rifle.

McLean later issued a statement to the public defender’s office that Breeden was cleaning a “shotgun” and attempted to show her how to operate the weapon when it fired and she was struck in the leg.

McLean said at the time the shooting was an accident and that Breeden immediately took her to the hospital, where she said she also told medical staff the shooting was an accident.

Prosecutors dismissed the charge against Breeden in February of this year, according to records.

When asked Monday if the same weapon was used in both shootings, public defender Stuart Higdon declined to comment."

McLean is facing first degree murder charges and is being held without bail.

At this moment, there are no details surrounding what sparked Sunday's shooting but, one can only speculate that this relationship has been tumultuous for quite some time. IF this was a case of self defense has yet to be determined. Either way, say a prayer for everyone involved.