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Abba Alexis-Isis Copes, 35, previously of Carlisle currently of Elizabethtown, is accused of shooting, striking and seriously injuring her neighbor on Sunday, according to Elizabethtown Borough police.
Copes and her husband were inside their apartment in the 200 block of North Market Street when they heard unusual noises outside of their window at 2:21 p.m., according to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by LancasterOnline.
She grabbed a 9mm handgun and went to investigate, Copes told police.
She spotted Julia Salin, their neighbor kneeling outside the window, as stated in the affidavit.
In a supposed case of mistaken identity, she shot at Salin, she told police.
Copes “"knowingly or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life,” according to the criminal complaint obtained by Fox43.
Salin was hit in the shoulder, according to police.
Her shoulder was shattered, her lung collapsed, she had a fractured rib and extensive blood loss, according to the complaint.
She was transported to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where she received multiple medical treatments, including a blood transfusion, police stated in the complaint.
The reason Salin was at the window is unknown.
Prior to this incident Copes was known for being featured in a United Way of Carlisle video and volunteering in the Carlisle community.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched for Cope in 2020 who was, “an inspiration and a fighter, and she's been going through a hard time. This fund is being created in order to show her the same support that she so consistently shows us.”
The campaign is still active and has raised $11,940 of a $11,500 goal.
She was also featured on cbs21 when she spoke about her experience with domestic violence at a candlelight vigil for victims of abuse in Oct. 2019.
She told the audience, “No one should hit you. No one should disrespect you. No one should threaten you. You should always be safe with anybody that you’re with.”
Copes has been charged with the following according to her court docket:
- F1 Aggravated Assault - Attempts to cause Serious Bodily Injury or causes injury with extreme indifference
- M2 Recklessly Endangering Another Person
She has been released on $50,000 unsecured bail.
Her preliminary hearing has been scheduled with Judge Randall Miller on Oct. 13 at 1:30 p.m.
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