''(Ms. Sims) acted in a legal and responsible manner, and for that reason there will be no charges brought against her,'' Sheriff Sellers stated in a news release.

He called the incident an ''obvious case of a citizen who refused to be a victim.''

Ms. Sims had filed a criminal domestic violence warrant Wednesday for Mr. Wheeler's arrest.

On Thursday morning, according to Sgt. George Burgess, Mr. Wheeler went to Ms. Sims' home in the 100 block of Vista Drive in Nicholson Village near Aiken and demanded to enter. He had previously lived in the home. The two were a couple, authorities said.

Investigators who responded to Ms. Sims' 911 call found a doorknob to the home blown off by a shotgun.

Shortly after Mr. Wheeler entered, Ms. Sims shot him several times with a handgun, according to Sgt. Burgess.

Mr. Wheeler was taken to Aiken Regional Medical Centers, where he was listed in serious condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Sgt. Burgess said there were children in the home during the shooting but they were not hurt.

Although no charges are being filed against Ms. Sims, Sgt. Burgess said Mr. Wheeler faces charges of burglary in the first degree.

Sgt. Burgess said he did not know why Ms. Sims requested the warrant for Mr. Wheeler's arrest. He said a criminal domestic violence warrant can be issued if a person has caused harm, threatened harm or made other terroristic threats toward another person.

Kay Mixon, executive director of Aiken's Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons, said domestic violence often is an issue of control.

''(Ms. Sims) probably feared for her life, and she took control,'' Mrs. Mixon said. ''When a batterer feels threatened he's losing control, he's got to get it back.

''I'm glad she stood up for herself. Hers has a better ending. So many women are killed in these instances.''

South Carolina ranked first in the nation in domestic violence fatalities in 1998, according to the Violence Policy Center in Washington.

Seven domestic fatalities have been reported in Aiken County this year.

Reach Josh Gelinas at (803) 279-6895.