Ex-principal shot by daughter to share story at Rawlinson Road event

Days after Tena Neely retired as principal of Rawlinson Road Middle School in 2006, her daughter shot her.

In a presentation titled "Courage in Crisis," Neely and her husband, Bill, will discuss the experience, as well as their lives with a daughter who has a mental illness.

The couple is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium at Rawlinson Road Middle, 2631 W. Main St., Rock Hill.

Tena Neely was shot in the abdomen and shoulder by the couple's grown daughter, Tracy Neely Jones, on the deck behind the family's home near Rock Hill. Tena was hospitalized and spent months recovering from her injuries.

Previously, Jones had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which includes symptoms of a mood disorder and psychosis, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder, characterized by obsessive thoughts or compulsions.

She was found not guilty by reason of insanity in November 2006. Following the court decision, she was being treated in a Columbia mental health center.

The Neelys have spoken about the shooting and their family's experience with mental illness, saying they want to help other families who are coping with similar issues.

This story was originally published February 7, 2009 at 11:53 PM with the headline "Ex-principal shot by daughter to share story at Rawlinson Road event."