LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Tippecanoe County sheriff's deputies are investigating how 47-year-old Donita Elliott was shot once in the chest inside her home in the 4000 block of East County Road 500 South about a quarter of a mile west of County Road 450 East, Tippecanoe County Sheriff Barry Richard confirmed Tuesday.

Tippecanoe County Coroner Donna Avolt said an autopsy was performed at noon Tuesday.

She ruled Elliott's death a homicide, which means that she was killed by another person, she stressed.

Whether Elliott's homicide is a crime will be determined by Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington after deputies conclude their investigation.

The shooting was domestic in nature, and deputies received a report of the shooting just before 1 a.m. Tuesday, Richard said in a news release Tuesday afternoon. Deputies rushed to the house, which is on the south side of the curve on County Road 500 South, west of County Road 450 East.

Elliott was rushed to the hospital but died there from her wound, Richard said.

A person of interest was questioned by detectives, and no charges have been filed as of Tuesday afternoon, Richard said.

The house and property are owned by Donita and Patrick M. Elliott, according to online records.

Donita Elliott's death remains under investigation.

Jose Sierra Jr. and Jose Sierra Sr. live in the house several hundred yards west of where the woman was killed.

"Last night, … like almost 3 o’clock in the morning, I see that a lot of police are over there," the elder Sierra said.

The younger Sierra said they didn't know their neighbors by name.

"We didn't really know them. Just walking by and saying, 'Hi,'" he said. "They were relatively friendly."

Just before noon, detectives removed the crime-scene tape from around the house and said the on-scene investigation is finished.

Reach Journal & Courier reporter Ron Wilkins at 765-420-5231.