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Update 12:19-p.m.: Council Bluffs shooting victim dies; standoff ends

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October 15th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Council Bluffs police say a woman has died after a domestic disturbance turned deadly.  Police Sgt. Chad Meyers said Tuesday that 44-year-old Millisa Cox was pronounced dead at a Council Bluffs hospital.

A neighbor, Jennie Rolli, says Millisa Cox came outside around 8 a.m. Tuesday, sat by a tree and yelled for help. She was soon taken to the hospital.

Darwin Cox. (photo provided by Council Bluffs P-D)

Darwin Cox. (photo provided by Council Bluffs P-D)

Officers say a man inside the home refused to come out, and a negotiator and a SWAT unit were dispatched. The officers rushed into the house about 9:45 a.m. to end the standoff. They found the woman’s husband, 55-year-old Darwin Cox.

Meyers says Darwin Cox had shot himself in the head. The suffered a wound to his chin area, but it appeared to be superficial and not considered to be life-threatening. He was taken to a hospital in nearby Omaha, Neb.  Meyers said it appears Darwin fatally shot Millisa and then unsuccessfully tried to commit suicide by shooting himself. The case remains under investigation, and charges against Darwin Cox are likely to be forthcoming.