Ind. woman allegedly fatally shot daughter because she 'would not stop talking'
12/14/2023 1:04 pm PST
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (TCD) -- A 68-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder this week for allegedly shooting and killing her daughter because she "would not stop talking."
On Sunday, Dec. 10, shortly before midnight, South Bend Police were called to a residence on the 3900 block of Ardmore regarding a shooting. When they arrived, they found 52-year-old Zawondra Lee deceased after sustaining apparent gunshot wounds. Detectives from the department’s Violent Crimes Unit arrested Zawondra Lee’s mother, Shirley Lee, and booked her into the St. Joseph County Jail.
Lee was charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter with a firearm enhancement on Dec. 12.
According to the affidavit shared by WSBT-TV, Shirley Lee allegedly called her son and told him she killed Zawondra Lee. The son called police, who then went to the home. When officers went inside, they reportedly noticed a silver revolver near Zawondra Lee’s body.
Police transported Shirley Lee to the South Bend Police Department Detective Bureau for questioning. The affidavit says detectives left her alone inside an interview room, where she made comments such as, "I did that to my child," and "I told her to stop talking, but she would not stop talking."
She reportedly made other comments while waiting for the interview.
After being advised of her rights, Shirley Lee reportedly told a detective Zawondra Lee moved in with her about three months ago and the two got into a verbal argument. Shirley Lee said her daughter "would not leave her alone." Shirley Lee allegedly went to her room and "shut the door in Zawondra’s face two times" because she "was angry and wanted to calm down."
Shirley Lee opened the door later "when she thought Zawondra didn’t have any more to say," but then she got angry. Shirley Lee said she grabbed her handgun and shot her daughter. The affidavit says Lee did not see any weapon on her daughter during the argument.
St. Joseph County Jail records show Lee is being held without bond.
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