Local Woman Arrested in Connection With Shooting Death of Boyfriend
Bowie County Sheriffs Deputies say a Texarkana, Texas woman has been arrested in connection with a shooting incident that left her boyfriend dead.
Authorities say the shooting occurred in May at a residence in Liberty-Eylau. 40 year old Tonya Ruth Barnett is facing manslaughter charges in connection with the deadly shooting.
When deputies first arrived at the scene they found the victim Cecil Ellis Jr. dead from an apparent gun shot. Barnett told authorities at the time that she had shot her boyfriend because he was assaulting her.
Investigators with the sheriffs office says new information came to light in connection with the case and that they interviewed Barnett again. Authorities allege that she changed her version of what occurred from what she originally told them. This led to the charges of manslaughter being filed against her.
She has been arrested and taken to the Bi-State Justice Center Jail. Her bail set by a judge at $20,000. The investigation into this case is ongoing.