Shield actor Michael Jace arrested over wife's death

20/05/14

April and Michael Jace

Authorities in America say The Shield actor Michael Jace has been arrested on suspicion of murder after his wife was found shot dead at their home in Los Angeles.

Officer Chris No says police arrived at the couple's home on Monday evening after a report of shots being fired.

Officials say 40-year-old April Jace was found dead inside.

Michael Jace, 51, was then taken into custody and booked on suspicion of homicide.

He is being held on $1 million (£593,000) bail.

The home of Michael Jace

Lt. John Jenal from the Los Angeles Police Department said two children were at the single-family home at the time of the shooting.

They were in protective custody on Tuesday morning, he told LA's City News Service.

Celebrity website TMZ claims the actor called police himself to report the shooting.

In March 2011, Jace filed for bankruptcy protection, with debts of between $500,000 (£297,000) and $1 million (£593,000).

Much of the debt appeared to relate to his home as well as more than $22,000 (£13,000) owed in state and federal income taxes.

In documents submitted at the time, his wife was listed as a public school teacher with more than 10 years' experience.

In a statement listing his possessions, Jace marked down that he didn't own any firearms.

There are no records of any criminal cases involving the actor in Los Angeles.

Michael Jace

Jace played Detective Julien Lowe in FX drama The Shield and was a police officer in Southland.

He also had parts in Forrest Gump, State of Play, Boogie Nights and Planet of the Apes.

The actor and his wife were married for nine years while Jace has another child from a previous relationship.

He was previously married to Jennifer Bitterman but they divorced in 2002.

The Shield ran for seven series, from 2002 to 2008, and won a Golden Globe for best television drama series in 2002.

Michael Chiklis, who played corrupt detective Vic Mackey, won a primetime Emmy Award and Golden Globe for best lead actor in a drama in 2002.

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