Man Shoots BBs Into Wife's Head, Gets Prison Sentence

NEWBURGH, NY — A Newburgh man who pleaded guilty to shooting his wife five times in the head with a BB gun found out how long he would be spending in prison.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said that Steven Lillo, 39, of Newburgh, was sentenced Monday to four years in state prison and three years of post-release supervision.

Lillo had previously pleaded guilty — on the eve of trial — to second-degree assault.

Prosecutors said, in the early morning hours of July 25, 2021, Lillo had an argument with his wife at their shared residence.

During the argument, Lillo got a BB gun and shot his wife in the head five times at close range and once in the hand. Police said the BBs had become lodged in her head.

He then repeatedly pistol-whipped her with the BB gun, causing cuts to her forehead.

Lillo and his wife’s shared 7-year-old child saw part of the fight and was the person who called the police.

At the plea proceedings, Lillo admitted to using the BB gun to cause his wife physical injury.

Hoovler said domestic violence is inexcusable and intolerable.

“This defendant will serve hard prison time after being convicted of brutally assaulting the victim in this matter,” he said.

Hoovler urges all victims of domestic violence to continue to come forward, as this victim bravely did, and to know that there are resources and support available to them from his office and agencies such as Fearless! Hudson Valley.