New Orleans police say a 78-year-old wheelchair-bound man went on a killing spree in his Treme home Wednesday morning, shooting to death his 31-year-old domestic partner, her 25-year-old sister and their 50-year-old mother before putting a shotgun to his own face and pulling the trigger.

The accused shooter is Alfred Andrews, who as of Wednesday night remained in critical condition at University Hospital.

On Monday Andrews was acquitted of domestic battery for a July charge involving one of the women killed today, Jennifer Muse, his domestic partner.

The director of the Metropolitan Center for Women in Metairie says when nightmares like this hit the news, her shelter gets an influx of calls from women wanting help out of their own domestic deathtraps.

Director Darlene Santana wonders how and why Andrews was acquitted of domestic battery.

"(Maybe) there is a sympathy factor there being played maybe because of his age or appearence," Santana said.

Andrews is an amputee in a wheelchair, and he bonded out of jail after his arrest in July.

Magistrate Commissioner Marie Bookman acquitted Andrews Monday. Through her law firm Bookman refused an interview request Wednesday, but the Orleans Parish Criminal Court released a statement to ABC 26 News. Here's an excerpt:

"The state's case consisted of the alleged victim testifying that her husband pushed her and she stumbled over objects on the floor. The husband, an amputee in a wheelchair, testified that he pushed his wife because she was punching him".

The emailed statement from a court spokesperson also explained that Bookman felt the state did not meet the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.