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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Woman’s BB-gun-wielding son protects her from being beaten, choked by boyfriend

Police responded to the 3500 block of E. Queen Avenue Tuesday after reports of a man attacking his girlfriend. The woman’s adolescent son attempted to stop the attack with a BB gun. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)

An adolescent boy attempted to defended his mother with a BB gun after she allegedly was attacked Tuesday morning.

According to court documents, Devere Delong, 36, grabbed the woman – with whom he was in a relationship – by her throat and pushed her up against a wall, saying “I’ll kill you.” .

Her adolescent son shot Delong with a BB gun, which caused him to let go of the woman, but he grabbed her again, pushed her up against the wall and punched her several times in the head and ribs, documents state.

Police responded to the 3500 block of East Queen Avenue at about 10 a.m. where they found the woman with marks on her neck and back consistent with being strangled. Delong apparently told police there was no physical contact between him and the woman, but then said she may have pushed him and scratched him.

Delong was arrested and charged with second-degree assault and held in lieu of a $40,000 bond. His first court appearance was Wednesday.