MONTOURSVILLE – A Lycoming County woman said she fatally shot her boyfriend as she was driving him home but claims she did so after he repeatedly struck and tried to choke her.

Ty D. Kimble, 40, of the 1200 block of Warrensville Road, was fatally shot between 1:30 and 2 a.m. Sunday near his home, state police said. Details were made public Tuesday in search warrant affidavits filed by state police.

The following is the account Sherri Scarantino, the alleged shooter, gave to police:

The two had consumed alcohol in a restaurant-bar, they argued and she drove to the home they shared leaving him behind. Kimble repeatedly called her for a ride and eventually she picked him up on Four Mile Drive in Loyalsock Township.

Kimble, a car salesman, began calling her names and hitting her in the face and head with his hand so she reached for her pistol she kept in a dashboard opening beneath the radio, she said.

A struggle ensued and the pistol discharged with the bullet entering the dashboard. After the weapon dropped into the center console, Kimble leaned over and began choking her.

Scarantino reached for the gun and fired at Kimble who sat back down. He tried to open the door while the vehicle still was moving, disconnected his seatbelt and then fell out.

She continued to their nearby home but then decided to return to look for Kimble. When she found him, she called 911 about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Kimble suffered a bullet wound under the chin and numerous abrasions police said likely were caused by him being dragged approximately 400 feet by the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A pistol was found in the kitchen of their home, investigators said.

Scarantino was in custody for a time Sunday but then released without being charged. The investigation is ongoing, District Attorney Eric R. Linhardt said.