In one week’s time, two Erie women were shot and killed, allegedly at the hands of their boyfriends.

Erie News Now sat down with a director at SafeNet, a non-profit which helps domestic violence victims.
In fact, SafeNet is the only provider of domestic violence services in Erie, they help about 2,000 people a year.

The two young women, of Erie, died within days of each other, both victims of domestic violence.

Alicia Stalheim, 25, was killed when her ex-boyfriend allegedly barged into Pizza Hut, with the intent to kill her.

Coroner Lyell Cook said she died of a gunshot wound to the head, and suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
He has ruled her death as a homicide.
Luis Rodriguez, 48, is behind bars, charged with her death.

About 72 hours prior, Selena Wall, 32, died at the hospital, losing the fight for her life after being shot in an Erie home multiple times by her boyfriend, according to police.
There’s a homicide arrest warrant out for Marcus Gibbs, 31, of Erie.
Investigators say Gibbs shot Wall inside an apartment, in the 900 block of Hess avenue, on November 18th.


And when Robyn Young, the Director of Domestic Violence Services at SafeNet, heard this news, she, like many, she was grief-stricken, “Not another death, we don't need any deaths, but not another death from something that is preventable,” said Young.

The non-profit helps thousands of men, women and children, living in dangerous domestic situations.

And these recent cases of domestic-related violence have the agency wanting people to know they are here to help, “People are 75 percent more likely to be killed or injured after they leave, and so the answer for everyone isn't leaving, but it's how to leave, when to leave,” said Young.

SafeNet offers services like emergency legal options, like Protection from Abuse orders, and also has an emergency shelter, they help about 400 people a year in their shelter.

They also offer safety planning, as Young says that leaving a situation safely is crucial, “I can't just say, ‘Do this, and this, and this’, because every situation is different, but even the plan to leave someone, you need a definite plan about when to leave and how to leave, and SafeNet can help with all of that, because it's not safe for everyone to just pack their bags and go out the door,” said Young.

According to SafeNet:
The signs of domestic violence include a partner who is overly jealous, doesn't want to hear their partner talking to people of the opposite sex, doesn't want their partner to have people outside of the relationship.
Someone who is driven to and from work by their partner or someone whose partner tracks their time.

Signs of potential lethality are:
Has he/she ever used a weapon against you or threatened you with a weapon?
Has he/she threaten to kill you or your children? 
Do you think he/she might try to kill you?
Does he/she have a gun or can he/she get one easily?
Has he/she ever tried to choke you?
Has he/she ever tried to kill himself / herself?

What can a victim do?
Contact SafeNet for a safety planning discussion, every situation is different.
Very important is the consideration to leave. SafeNet wants all victims to leave, but sometimes the timing is very important because people are 75% more likely to be killed or injured AFTER they leave. So if you know someone who has left an abusive relationship still refer them to SafeNet.

If they can't get out of the situation go to the ER, find an excuse to get medical attention, SafeNet has advocates on call 24/7 to go to the hospital to see victims.

SafeNet services are completely confidential, the only thing that the agency is required to report as child abuse.

Click here to learn more about SafeNet’s services or what you or a loved one can do to leave a violent relationship.