Utah Man Fatally Shoots Wife After She Threatens To Leave Him, Arrested

A Utah man who fatally shot his wife Friday in front of the couple’s several children after she threatened to leave him is facing a murder charge.

The incident happened at the couple’s residence in Ivins. Steven Timothy Smith, 59, fired multiple shots at his wife while their children, aged 15 to 25, were at home, KUTV reported, citing a probable cause affidavit.

Someone called police to report that Smith had "shot his wife after being told that she was leaving him." When deputies arrived, they found Smith roaming around in the residence with blood on his hands and clothes. Witnesses told police that gunshots were heard from inside the residence and when one person entered the house, they found the victim lying unresponsive on the ground. The victim, 49, was pronounced dead at the scene, KSL.com reported.

The probable cause affidavit stated that Smith had left the residence at some point before police arrived to draw a large sum of money. He reportedly came back to the residence and told everyone present that he wasn’t going to leave his family.

When the neighbors confronted Smith over the murder, he said "I'm done, I have nothing else,” KSL.com reported, citing court documents. He also ordered the neighbors to vacate the residence after the shooting, according to the publication.

During a search, police found a handgun in the closet with traces of blood on its grip. A family member identified the victim as Shawntell Smith, according to the St. George News.

Smith was booked into the Washington County Jail on a felony first-degree murder charge. "My angel sister Shawntell's life was tragically taken yesterday. Still trying to process this news," a GoFundMe account set up for Shawntell read. "Things like this happen on the news, not in real life. Shawntell is one of the most Christlike people I know."

Earlier this month, a 71-year-old U.K. man was sentenced to 7 years in prison after he attacked his ex-wife with hammer and screwdriver for leaving her. Alec Butt was found guilty of causing grievous bodily hurt to his wife Anna Butt by Bristol Crown Court and the judge ruled out his claim that he acted in self-defense.