WILMINGTON — A first-degree murder charge has been filed against the Lumberton man who is believed to have fatally shot a Wilmington woman, a New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office spokesman said.

A warrant against William Bernicki, 48, has been sworn out, Lt. Jerry Brewer said Thursday, but the warrant has not been served. Bernicki was critically injured in what lawmen believe was a suicide attempt.

“As soon as he becomes conscious we will serve out that warrant,” Brewer said.

Other charges are pending, he said.

Bernicki is accused in the shotgun death of Brittany Fullwood. Fullwood, 34, was killed about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday at her residence on the 5200 block of Woods Edge Road in the Monkey Junction area. Bernicki then tried to kill himself.

“He shot half his face off with a shotgun,” Brewer said.

Bernicki was taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center, where he is unconscious and in serious condition, Brewer said. Deputies are standing watch over him.

Investigators have not determined a motive for the slaying, or established what type of relationship existed between Bernicki and Fullwood.

“We’re still investigating that,” Brewer said.

Bernicki has no criminal record in New Hanover County. The name William Bernicki was not found in Robeson County Detention Center files or in the state Department of Corrections inmate search system.