Saturday, July 22, 2000

Wife shoots in self-defense
By MARK SUNDERLAND
Special to The Sun

A 76-year-old woman shot and killed her husband of more than 50 years Friday after an argument at the couple’s home, police said.

Police say Isiah “Izell” Hines, 80, was shot in the chest by his wife, Ola Burns Hines, just before 2 p.m. at 2028 NE 3rd Place. He was shot by a .32-caliber handgun, police said.

Ola Burns Hines is escorted out of her home at 2028 NE 3rd Place by Gainesville Police Detective Reginald Johnson after police say she shot and killed her husband, 80-year-old Izell Hines. KIM BAULDREE/The Gainesville Sun

“There was a struggle in the study area of the house. He was choking Mrs. Hines when she reached over into a drawer and pulled out a handgun and shot him in the chest,” said Gainesville Police Detective Reginald Johnson.

“Our investigation shows this was self-defense,” Johnson said. “She’s a very fragile lady who has a long history of illness. She is very upset by all of this.”

Police say there is some history of domestic violence at the house. Izell Hines was arrested on charges of spouse battery in 1996, but he was not convicted. Neighbors spoke about the incident as news of the shooting spread down the northeast Gainesville street.

“Mrs. Hines was not in the best health, and Mr. Izell was always taking care of her,” said Ann Johnson, 32, a neighbor who grew up across the street from the couple.

“They were like a second mom and dad to me.”

Johnson said she had seen Izell Hines working on his car earlier that day.

“My husband is really going to be upset because he used to go over there and sit on the porch with them all the time,” she said.

Johnson said children in the neighborhood knew the couple as “the cookie people” because they would hand out cookies to trick-or-treaters for Halloween.

Police said no charges would be filed.