A woman in The Dalles is in serious condition after being shot in the stomach. Police suspect that her husband, who has Alzheimer's disease, accidentally triggered a loaded gun.

Darlena Hill, 75, underwent surgery at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, where she remains in serious condition.

Investigators think that her 76-year-old husband, Darrell Hill, was handling a firearm that he thought was unloaded. Then it fired, striking his wife in the stomach, according to Oregon State Police.

The Dalles police and Wasco County sheriff's deputies responded to the shooting at 8:52 a.m. Saturday.

The Wasco County Major Crimes Team is investigating the incident. Oregon State Police is leading the inquiry, with assistance from the sheriff's office and police department.

-- Molly Harbarger

mharbarger@oregonian.com

503-294-5923

@MollyHarbarger