Elliott healing after shooting
June 20, 2002
By Katharhynn Heidelberg
Journal Staff Writer
The woman injured in a June 6 shooting incident is doing "remarkably well," according to her husband.
Melissa Elliott, 35, was shot three times with a 12-gauge shotgun, allegedly by Dante Sena, 41.
Sena reportedly drove head-on into Elliott’s vehicle, which was parked on Fifth Street in Cortez. According to police reports, he then got out of his Tahoe and shot Elliott three times through her windshield.
Witnesses reported seeing him beating the windshield with the butt of the gun afterward. Elliott also apparently sustained a knife wound.
Elliott was air-lifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, where she remained as of Wednesday. Her husband, Heath Elliott, told the Journal Wednesday that his wife is "doing remarkably well. She’s much better."
According to him, doctors are working on moving Melissa Elliott out of ICU. She has undergone reconstructive surgeries to allow for healing, Elliott said. He has been informed that his wife might be allowed to return home in as soon as 10 days. Melissa Elliott is expected to undergo massive physical therapy and rehabilitation, and more surgeries may follow.
"She can speak now," Heath Elliott said. "That’s really lifted her spirits. Every day, she’s getting closer."
Melissa Elliott released the following statement through her husband: "Be sure to tell everyone in the community I’m extremely grateful for all the flowers, cards and support we and our children have got."
"We really have got a lot of help and support at a rough time," said Heath Elliott. "It’s muchly appreciated."
Cards may be sent to Melissa Elliott care of St. Mary’s Hospital, 2635 N. Seventh St., Grand Junction, CO, 81501.
Sena, recently advised on a felony charge of first-degree attempted murder, remains jailed in lieu of a $100,000 bond.
In an interview conducted by Cortez Police Department Detective Randy Matthews on June 7, Sena reportedly said that he saw Elliott, with whom he claimed to be having a relationship, as she was parked in her vehicle, speaking to another man on June 6.
Police have not verified Sena’s claims about the relationship, but have said rumors that more than one person was inside Elliott’s vehicle were inaccurate.
According to the police report of the interview, Sena said that after seeing Elliott speaking with another person, he drove to his residence on Road F. There, he retrieved and loaded the shotgun and went back to town, the report said.
"Several witnesses observed Dante Sena intentionally drive his vehicle into Melissa’s vehicle," the report read. "...Dante told me that he drove his vehicle into Melissa’s" and got out. He allegedly remembered shooting twice into her car, and the report said he smashed the shotgun into the front windshield.
"Dante then helped get Melissa out of the vehicle and onto the grass," the interview report noted. Sena was subsequently arrested.
Police hoped to interview Elliott about the shooting on Wednesday, but this was conditional on her health at the time, said Detective Sgt. Jim Shethar.
Court documents indicate that the shooting was not the first incident of alleged violence on Sena’s part. In 1996, Sena was issued a citation which stated he "knowingly and recklessly cause(d) bodily injury to Melinda Sena."
Melinda Sena, then his wife, had reported that he "grabbed her hair and her arm, shoved her arm against her face, causing pain to her lip, jaw and ear," according to court records. Sena was originally charged with third-degree assault and domestic violence.
The case was deferred in 1997, after Sena agreed not to violate traffic or criminal laws, to inform the court of his address, pay costs as directed, and complete domestic-violence evaluation.
Thank you all and God Bless you for your prayers for Ms. Elliott. This is truly a testamony to Gods Love.
