A man from Helena-West Helena is in jail after police say he shot his new wife in the neck. Local station, WREG spoke with the woman who is sharing her story in the hopes of inspiring other survivors of domestic violence to keep pushing.
Erica Williams-Otey is on the mend after being shot by her husband of 7 months, 49-year-old Johnny Otey, according to police.
The bullet has remained lodged in her neck.
“He left me for dead. He thought I was dead, but see God shielded me and covered me,” Erica said.
The victim stated that she was on her way out to celebrate her 40th birthday when her husband approached her and began firing shots.
Erica stated that she married Otey in January. She recently stated that he became controlling and that they split.
Williams-Otey stated that during the shooting, he was so enraged that he did stand over her, shooting into her chest and face while her children were in their home steps away.
“On my 40th birthday I’m praying to God to let me live, ‘Lord please don’t let my kids watch me die,’” Erica said.
Helena-West Helena Corporal Detective Kelson Franklin is the case’s lead detective.
Franklin stated that Otey was apprehended at work on Tuesday afternoon as a result of an anonymous tip. He stated that this crime demonstrated Otey’s pattern of behavior.
“His previous wife he had from our reports… he shot her in the face. Luckily for us, the victim did survive,” Det. Franklin said.
Erica is relieved that her husband is now in jail. She is now concerned about purported threats from his relatives on Facebook, she says.
“What God got for me can’t no man destroy so quit coming after me and just accept justice is being done,” Erica said.
Otey is charged in the first degree with domestic battery. According to police, if convicted, he could face more than ten years in prison.
His wife, on the other hand, has stated that she would prefer a harsher punishment.
