Jackson man charged with shooting his wife with bow and arrow

A Jackson man was charged Tuesday with domestic assault and armed criminal action after allegedly shooting his ex-wife in the back with a bow and arrow.

Cape Girardeau County officers received a call around 3:20 p.m. Monday to respond to 125 Barton Lane in Jackson.

When they arrived, they found Betty Houseman lying on the kitchen floor, blood soaked through her clothing, according to a probable cause statement signed by Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department Det. Travis Sikes.

She was transported to Saint Francis Medical Center, where she told police her ex-husband, Merriel E. Houseman Jr., had shot her with the arrow following an argument they had on the way home from a reunion they'd attended in Alton, Ill., the day before.

She tried to flee, and grabbed a handgun in case he tried to assault her, but was shot as she attempted to leave the residence, the statement said.

Houseman Jr. is currently being held at the Cape Girardeau County Jail on $10,000 cash only bond, on the grounds that he have no contact with the victim and avoid her place of employment.