PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Charges are pending for a man who Philadelphia Police say shot and killed his girlfriend, but did so without using a gun.

The violent incident happened in the Northeast, the 3100 block of Willits Road around 9:30 last night.

When police got there they found 42-year-old Pamela Nightlinger in a pool of her own blood at her next door neighbor’s house.

She ran there after Police Captain Anthony Ginaldi says her boyfriend fired at her.

“Was shot in the chest with a hunting crossbow. The bolt from the crossbow penetrated her chest.”

And the arrow would go through couch and into the wall.

Police say Nightlinger died at the hospital and they arrested her 40-year-old boyfriend.

Just spoke with Jim Nightlinger, ex-husband of Pamela Kuzan. He spoke glowingly about her, says she wanted nothing but to help others. #CBS3 — Anita Oh (@anita_oh) June 27, 2016

Ex-husband of Pamela Kuzan: The loss hasn’t set in for our two daughters. Our 13-year-old wouldn’t believe it & said she was “texting Mom.” — Anita Oh (@anita_oh) June 27, 2016

Authorities say the two had been arguing and, neighbors tell police, the man had been in a downward spiral in recent weeks.

Police say it appears that children also live in the house, but they were away, in a different part of the state.