A longtime Warren County resident was shot and killed by her husband Saturday morning in Bedford County.
According to information from the Bedford County Sheriff’s Department, Kristal Lee Hall, 46, of Winchester, died from a gunshot wound to the head Saturday morning.
Her husband, James Tim Hall, 48, also of Winchester, has been charged with first-degree murder and reckless endangerment. Mr. Hall reportedly called 911 after the shooting and told the dispatcher he had just killed his wife.
While living in Winchester for the past few years, the couple has roots in Warren County. Both their children graduated from Boyd Christian School and the family worshipped at Bonner Church of Christ and then later Morrison Church of Christ. They lived in Warren County for over 20 years, according to a family member.
Mr. Hall had worked at Calsonic and Nissan, while Mrs. Hall had worked at Aquatech, Cumberland Lumber and Nissan.
Kristal Hall was killed while she was staying at a friend’s house in the Fairfield community. According to sheriff’s department reports, Mr. Hall left his home around 6 a.m. Saturday morning and drove directly to where his wife was staying. The door was locked, but he forced his way in.
“He fired three shots into the front door,” said Bedford County Sheriff Austin Swing. “He shot the lock and it didn’t help him so he shot twice through the glass door and broke out the rest of the glass with his hand.”
Mrs. Hall was shot in the face, according to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette. She was shot with a 40-caliber handgun, Sheriff Swing said, and was dead by the time officers arrived.
In addition to Mr. Hall, a 12-year-old girl also made a 911 call from the home. She hid by locking herself in a back bedroom and was not harmed. She is the daughter of the home’s owner and is not related to the Halls.
Mr. Hall surrendered immediately upon the arrival of deputy Clyde Boyce. The Times-Gazette said Hall was holding his wife’s body when the deputy arrived.
According to family friends, the Halls had a tumultuous relationship and their marriage had endured separations.
Sheriff Swing described the case as “domestic violence stretched to the max.” The sheriff said it was his understanding the Halls had endured domestic violence issues in the past. The sheriff said he didn't want to speculate on the nature of the relationship between Mrs. Hall and the person she was staying with at the time of her death.
Obituary information for Mrs. Hall is available on this page.