A Bowling Green man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murder after his wife was found shot dead in their home.

Terry Ernest Thomas, 76, was booked early Wednesday morning into Warren County Regional Jail on charges of murder and receiving stolen property (firearm).

Thomas is accused of fatally shooting his wife, Mary Thomas, at their home at 1128 Blue Bell Way.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office said it received an out-of-state phone call from someone who reported their relative had been involved in a domestic dispute involving a handgun.

According to an arrest citation, the caller reported that she had received a phone call from her father, who claimed he had shot his wife in the head in self-defense.

Deputies were dispatched to the Thomas’ home before 7 p.m. Tuesday and made contact with Terry Thomas, who said his wife had attempted to stab him, and that she had taken the gun from him and shot herself, an arrest citation said.

Thomas left the residence, but was detained soon afterward after deputies found Thomas’ wife lying in a bed with a gunshot wound to her head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Terry was placed in a police cruiser and advised of his rights, but he gave no statement about the shooting at the time, informing deputies he could not stand and asking about his dog.

He was brought to The Medical Center for treatment after experiencing difficulty breathing.

At the hospital, Thomas spoke with WCSO Detective Vedad Hadzikadunic, saying that he and his wife had problems in their marriage for several years, an arrest citation said.

“Terry said his spouse was in the bed doing a puzzle and produced a handgun once he asked to resolve their problems,” WCSO Deputy Christian Nava said in the arrest citation. “Terry advised he ended up grabbing the gun and a struggle occurred. Terry said the gun went off. Terry said once the gun went off, he did not alter the scene or the victim’s body in any form.”

Hadzikadunic called Thomas’ daughter, who reported that Thomas told her he shot his wife in the head and he was lying beside her.

According to the arrest citation, Thomas’ daughter told deputies her father said he and his wife were arguing and his wife had threatened to leave him.

“The victim’s daughter said she remembers Terry saying it was self defense, but doesn’t remember hearing Terry telling her that the victim physically attacked him,” Nava said in the citation.

No signs of struggle were evident at the scene where the body was found, and no knives were found in the bedroom, the citation said.

Deputies found a gun on top of the drawer next to the bed on the side where Terry Thomas sleeps, and the gun was discovered to have been reported stolen in Florida in 2014, records show.

Thomas was set to be arraigned Wednesday in Warren District Court.