Millsboro man arrested after fatally shooting ex-wife through her Bridgeville home, police say

A Millsboro man was arrested Wednesday night on murder and related charges after he shot and killed his ex-wife and fired multiple rounds into her home on Abbys Way near Bridgeville, Delaware State Police said.

Troopers responded to the shooting just after 6 p.m. Police later learned that Ronald Donaway, 74, had gone to the home where his ex-wife and her 23-year-old grandson lived and began shooting with a rifle into the windows of the living room, kitchen and bedrooms, police said.

The 70-year-old ex-wife was struck by gunfire in the kitchen, where she died from her wounds, according to police. The grandson escaped through a bedroom window and was uninjured.

The suspect then went inside the home for a short period of time before driving away in a black Kia. As troopers were responding to the scene, they stopped Donaway’s vehicle at the entrance of the community and took him into custody.

Donaway was taken to Delaware State Police Troop 5 and charged with four felonies: first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, home invasion and first-degree reckless endangering.

He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court No. 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of a $900,000 cash bond.

This shooting follows several other recent incidents in lower Delaware where people died in violent crimes committed by family members.

Between Nov. 21 and Dec. 3, police said six people were killed by family members living in the same household in homes in Harrington, Bridgeville and Townsend — reaching across all of Delaware's three counties.

One of these slayings was only about 5 miles away from Wednesday's shooting, in the Heritage Shores neighborhood, where police said Joseph Caldarera, 58, shot his brother-in-law, 71-year-old Peter Colletti, and then himself.

When searching for an explanation for these violent deaths among family members, experts point to mental health challenges and the continued prevalence of domestic violence — even in neighborhoods that have a safe reputation.

READ MORE:Below the canal, Delaware records 6 violent deaths in 2 weeks at hands of family members

Emily Lytle covers Sussex County from the inland towns to the beaches. Got a story she should tell? Contact her at elytle@doverpost.com or 302-332-0370. Follow her on Twitter at @emily3lytle.