Confessed shooter claims self-defense

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) - A woman admitted that she shot and killed her boyfriend, but she's not in jail.

The shooting happened Wednesday night at a home on East Liberty Street in Springfield.

The victim, 50-year-old Timothy Ratchford, and his girlfriend, Christine Knight, had been together for twenty years.

Both have been in and out of jail on domestic violence charges in the past.

But this time, the violence ended with one of them dead.

Police say Knight placed a called 9-1-1 and admitted she shot her boyfriend.

Knight told the dispatcher, "I shot him dead."

Knight's daughter, Chasmine said, "It's domestic violence. It was an accident."

Chasmine Knight says her mother acted in self defense when Ratchford beat her up over money he owed her.

She says she was shocked when she walked into the hospital and saw her mother's battered face.

Chasmine Knight said, "Broken nose, black eyes. I mean, emotionally scarred. You can't get worse than that."

She said Ratchford and her mother had gotten into fights before, but nothing like this.

"He's pointed the gun at her before. It was in her room. He gave it to her for her own protection, " Chasmine Knight said.

Police say Ratchford was shot once in the chest.

They did find the gun laying on a dresser in the bedroom.

Captain Mike Hill of The Springfield Police Department said, "We have not made any arrests at this time. Officers are still investigating. We will present what we obtain to the grand jury."

The grand jury will decide if any charges will be filed against Knight in the case.