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Mother charged with murdering husband while children were at home

Posted at 11:47 AM, Mar 17, 2015
and last updated 2015-03-17 19:14:47-04
Fatal shooting at 6000 block Harrison Road (PHOTO: Free Lance-Star)

Fatal shooting at 6000 block Harrison Road (PHOTO: Free Lance-Star)

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. -- Sheriff's investigators charged a Spotsylvania woman with 2nd degree murder in the shooting death of her husband.

Investigators initially believed Monday's shooting death to be accidental in nature, however further investigation lead to the criminal charge announced Tuesday.

Laurence Marie-Flora Smith, 37, called 911 around 5:45 p.m. Monday to report that she accidentally shot her husband, according to Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Capt. Jeff Pearce.

Deputies arrived at the her Harrison Road home to find the 44-year-old Sean Smith dead inside. The couple's two children were also home at the time of the shooting, law enforcement sources indicated.

Laurence Marie-Flora Smith (PHOTO:  Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office)

Laurence Marie-Flora Smith (PHOTO: Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office)

"Based upon statements made by Laurence Smith, along with several interviews and forensic evidence recovered at the scene, detectives presented the evidence to the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office," Capt. Pearce said. "Laurence Smith was subsequently arrested and charged with 2nd degree Murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony."

Smith was ordered held, without bond, at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

Investigators have not yet released details about what lead up to the fatal shooting.

This is a developing story.