'My ex shot me': Man arrested in Delaware after girlfriend shot at Smithfield home

A man has been arrested after a woman was shot last week in Smithfield by a man believed to be her ex-boyfriend.

Benjamin Blakely was arrested Wednesday in Wilmington, Delaware. He is in custody and awaiting extradition back to North Carolina. Blakely was wanted for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.

According to the Smithfield Police Department, officers responded to a home on Whitley Drive on Feb. 29 around noon.

According to Chief Pete Hedrick, a woman was shot by a person she knew. The victim was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Emergency personnel at the scene can be heard saying on Broadcastify radio traffic:

"We're clearing the house now. We've got one female with a gunshot wound to her stomach."

David Barbour, a town councilman, said he called 911 after seeing his neighbor seriously injured.

"She collapsed on the porch. Then I went over to her and I saw blood in different places," Barbour said.

Smithfield's police chief told WRAL News the woman's boyfriend shot her.

Barbour said the victim described the suspect as her "ex."

Barbour, who stayed with the woman after she was shot, said he was mostly concerned about her condition but also wanted to know if the threat was still there. There was no ongoing threat to the public, according to police.

"I asked, 'Is he still here?,' and she said, 'No he stole my car, it's gone!'" Barbour said.

The car was described as a Black Hyundai Santa Fe according to Barbour and audio from 911 dispatchers.

Barbour hopes his neighbor will survive.

"It was a miracle I was there," Barbour said. "Because if not, she might have laid there and died!"

The Smithfield Police Department wanted to thank everyone who sent in citizen tips that helped find Blakely.

The investigation is ongoing.