Authorities are continuing their investigation into the Saturdaynight shooting of a Brookhaven businesswoman, but Lincoln CountySheriff Lynn Boyte reported little progress so far.

“We’ve run down some dead ends that didn’t pan out for us,”Boyte said about efforts related to the shooting of BettyMontgomery, 78, of 1202 Ingram St.

According to Boyte, Montgomery was talking on the telephonearound 8:20 p.m. Saturday when she was hit in the back of her headby a bullet that entered her home through a bedroom window.Montgomery was taken to King’s Daughters Medical Center and thentransferred to the University of Mississippi Medical Center’sNeurosurgery Intensive Care Unit, where she remained Tuesdaymorning.

“She’s better,” said Montgomery’s son Jimmy.

After family members spoke with the doctor, Jimmy Montgomerysaid it looks his mother will lose her right eye. Otherwise, theprognosis is promising.

“In time, she will recover,” he said.

Jimmy Montgomery said his mother was coherent, talking withmedical staff and eager to go home. Although he did not know howlong she would be hospitalized, Montgomery did not think she wouldbe coming home any time soon.

Jimmy Montgomery, who is staying in Brookhaven to run the familybusiness while his sister stays in Jackson, said there had beenmany calls from friends and neighbors concerned about theirmother.

Regarding authorities’ investigation, Boyte said many leads wereeliminated Monday. He did not wish to elaborate on the substance ofthose tips.

“We just about ruled out everything we were told yesterday,”Boyte said Tuesday morning.

Boyte gave no indication whether the shooting was accidental oron purpose. He added that authorities were looking to question somemore individuals today.

“We’ve got some stuff that we hope will pan out, but there areno guarantees,” Boyte said. “We’ll go from there.”