AUGUSTA — A Benton woman accused of shooting and injuring a man she was dating after he insulted her was indicted on a charge of attempted murder.

Hailie A. Hotham, 21, allegedly shot Izeck Spaulding, 19, also of Benton. The incident was reported just after 3 a.m. Aug. 8. Spaulding underwent surgery for a gunshot wound in the neck, according to a news release from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office.

Hotham was initially charged with domestic violence elevated aggravated assault, domestic violence aggravated assault, and domestic assault, the sheriff’s office statement said.

Hotham told police she and Spaulding had been on an alcohol and cocaine “bender” for several days, according to an affidavit filed by Deputy Chad Webster.

The affidavit states Spaulding insulted Hotham and they were arguing. Hotham told police she tried to reach some of Spaulding’s friends, including one friend who said if she or police tried to remove Spaulding from the house on Unity Road in Benton, which Hotham owned, he would become violent.

Hotham and her younger sister left the home and called a friend, whom she said had helped resolve a similar incident two days earlier. The friend came over and convinced Spaulding to leave.

But when Spaulding tried to leave, police allege, he continued to insult Hotham and she shot him with a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. The pistol was secured at the scene by police. 

Spaulding was taken to Thayer Center for Health in Waterville, then taken by LifeFlight of Maine to Maine Medical Center in Portland where he underwent surgery.

An update on his condition was not available Thursday from the Kennebec County District Attorney’s Office, which is prosecuting the case against Hotham.

Hotham helped render aid to Spaulding while they waited for an ambulance to arrive, the affidavit noted. She was arrested at the scene and told police she shot Spaulding and she should not have done it.

Hotham was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday at Capital Judicial Center, but did not attend, according to her attorney Walter McKee, because she was in rehab for treatment. Her arraignment was rescheduled for Dec. 8.

“As one might expect, there are a tremendous number of facts and circumstances that gave rise to what happened on Aug. 8th, all of which will come to light in due course,” McKee said after Wednesday’s court hearing.

On Oct. 16, a Kennebec County grand jury indicted Hotham on an additional charge of attempted murder, a Class A felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

The indictment alleges Hotham “did intentionally or knowingly attempt to cause the death of another Izeck Spaulding by shooting Izeck Spaulding in the chest.”

Webster’s affidavit states Spaulding was struck in his left shoulder, near his clavicle.