WEDNESDAY UPDATE: BLUEFIELD (WVVA) - A woman shot by a frequent visitor to her home during a robbery attempt remains in critical condition in a Roanoke hospital.
Monica Watkins underwent surgery Tuesday. Her husband, John Douglas Watkins, was dead at the scene of the shooting Monday night.
Neighbors told WVVA News Tuesday that Mrs. Watkins had been shot in the head and that surgeons were working to remove bullet fragments.
A nephew confirmed to WVVA News Wednesday that Mrs. Watkins is recovering from a gunshot wound to the head. He says she is expected to have to undergo several surgeries, but is responding to treatment.
A fund has been established for Mrs. Watkins.
Meanwhile, the suspect in the shooting, Donald Adams, was found dead in his jail cell Wednesday afternoon. Police say Adams hanged himself with his shoestrings.
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BLUEFIELD (WVVA) - A Bluefield man is dead and is wife wounded after being shot during an attempted robbery at their home Monday night. The suspect has confessed to the crime.
Donald Adams, 54, was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with murder in the shooting death of 79-year-old John Douglas Watkins of Burton Street. Watkins' wife, Monica, was also shot and was in surgery Tuesday morning.
Adams also faces pending charges in the wife's shooting.
Neighbors say Adams had frequented the Watkins' home and had routinely attempted to borrow money from them. He had once lived in a neighboring house on Burton Street and had been seen at the Watkins home within the last two weeks.
Police responded to the residence at 201 Burton Street at 11:40 p.m. Monday in response to a gunshot victim. Upon arrival they found Mr. Watkins dead of an apparent gunshot wound. Mrs. Watkins had suffered a gunshot wound as well as other significant injuries.
Mrs. Watkins was responsive and able to identify her assailant as Adams. She was transported to Bluefield Regional Medical Center then to Roanoke.
Neighbors tell WVVA News Mrs. Watkins was shot in the head and her throat cut.
Police were able to locate Adams and, following a brief foot pursuit, took him into custody.
During his arraignment, Adams confessed to the shootings, and said that he planned on pleading guilty.
Adams said he has long suffered from a drug addiction and was attempting to rob the couple when he shot them.
Adams told WVVA that he was using crack at the time of the shooting. According to his interview, Adams said that the Watkins couple had loaned him money several times.
Adams appeared remorseful following his arraignment, asking those affected by his actions for forgiveness.
Hear Adams' confession, in his own words, this evening on WVVA News at 5 and 6.
Donald Adams
John Douglas Watkins
Monica Watkins
