Wickliffe woman shoots abusive boyfriend in hand, police say

WICKLIFFE, Ohio — A man is in custody and facing criminal charges after he was shot in the hand by his girlfriend, who police say was being physically abused by the man and was trying to get out of the house.

Ronald Capristo, 47, was arrested early Saturday morning following the incident on Enid Road. He is being held in the Lake County Jail on $100,000 bond on a charge of felony domestic violence. Police say he has two prior convictions on domestic violence charges.

Officers were called to the home at about 5 a.m. and found Capristo in the front yard, bleeding from his wound. The woman was outside calling for help, police say.

The woman tells police she came home from work and was confronted by Capristo, her live-in boyfriend, about an argument that occurred earlier. Capristo is accused of hitting the woman several times in the head and face during the argument.

The woman got a handgun from a bedroom and tried to leave through the front door. Police say Capristo prevented the woman from leaving, so the woman pulled the handgun from her pocket, pointed it at Capristo and pulled the trigger. Capristo grabbed the gun as it went off, with the bullet going through his hand and grazing his upper arm, police say.

The woman was able to run outside and began yelling for help. Neighbors then called the police.

The woman currently is not facing criminal charges, according to police.