The actor behind “The Shield”, Michael Jace, has been charged for the death of his wife and was arrested for murder on Tuesday.

Authorities say Jace shot his wife, April Jace, in their house in Los Angeles on Monday night and then called 911 to report the crime.

Jace was detained at his home on Monday night and charged with homicide early Tuesday. The TV star was then booked into a jail in Los Angeles with bail set at US$1 million.

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Jace's two sons by April, who were both at home during the fatal shooting, were taken into custody by California's Department of Children and Family Services after Jace's arrest.

Authorities deemed the motive of the killing to be domestic violence pending further investigation. Neighbors, who also called 911 after hearing the loud sound of multiple gunshots, said the couple were a picture of domestic bliss and that they had no inkling of any domestic violence issues between the two.

Los Angeles police also found no traces of domestic violence between Jace and April in their home.  However, CNN was able to get hold of a sworn statement from a close friend of Jace's first wife, Jennifer Bitterman, concerning a 2005 custody case for their son.

The witness, Maria De Le Vegas, said she had personally witnessed Jace hitting his first wife when she lived with the couple from 1996 until their divorce in 1997.

De Le Vegas said the TV star once slammed Bitterman on the wall after hitting and strangling her. The physical abuse allegedly happened while their infant son was screaming in the crib.

The witness added that Jace had lost control and was raging with anger. De Le Vegas said it was among the most horrific things she has ever witnessed.

CNN was also able to obtain court documents showing that Jace was having financial troubles after "The Shield" stopped airing, and had filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in 2011.

TagsMichael Jace, The Shield, Maria De Le Vegas, CNN, Los Angeles, Department of Children and Family Services in California