Official: Man drove to Springfield police station to say he killed his girlfriend

Giacomo Bologna
Springfield News-Leader
Ellman Long

A 70-year-old Fair Grove man drove to a Springfield police station Wednesday to turn himself in for killing his girlfriend, court documents say.

Ellman Long allegedly told investigators he shot his girlfriend in the head about midnight Tuesday after an argument because he felt threatened and "didn't know what she would do."

The victim was later identified as 54-year-old Jennifer C. McDaris.

According to court documents, Long said he cradled McDaris' dead body, contemplated suicide and told her he loved her before driving around aimlessly with a handgun in his truck.

The incident is described in a probable cause statement which said Long entered the lobby of the police station on West Battlefield Road at 1:56 p.m. Wednesday saying he shot his girlfriend at her home in Fair Grove.

Greene County sheriff's deputies responded to the home in the 5200 block of East Calberts Lane and found McDaris dead inside, with a visible gunshot wound, according to the department. 

Long allegedly said he had been dating McDaris since April and was currently living with her.

According to the statement, Long said McDaris had ingested meth that evening before they went to bed.

At about midnight, McDaris began yelling and berating him, Long allegedly told investigators.

McDaris accused Long of cheating, the statement said, and she stood next to the bed while Long tried to sleep.

Long allegedly said he pushed McDaris away, causing her to stumble.

Then Long said McDaris came back toward him, the statement said, so he grabbed his gun and fired.

"It was instinct," Long allegedly said.

Long parked his white Dodge truck outside the police station, the statement said, and a handgun was located between the driver's seat and the center console.

Long was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action, court records show.

According to online court records, Long is being held in jail on a $150,000 bond.