From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
CLAY –In a statement released on Friday by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, more details have emerged in the shooting death of a Clay mother on Thursday. Among the details, the suspect, Jeremy Conway Hardin, 39 ,allegedly told deputies that he shot the victim, Jody Marie Watson, 38, from behind while she was in the kitchen of the Yellowhammer Drive home. There was also a history of reports of domestic violence at the residence, the latest coming just about one month ago.
Jodie Watson was shot and killed at a home in Clay.
Photo via Facebook
Just before 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, a male suspect called 911 and reported that he had shot his girlfriend, according to the statement. At about the same time a second 911 call was received from a neighbor who reported that two children had come to their house and asked them to call for help because their mother had been shot.
Deputies arrived to find Watson dead on the scene. The male suspect, Hardin, remained on the scene and surrendered to deputies without incident.
Detectives learned that the victim had been in the kitchen of the residence when Hardin walked up behind her and shot her. Watson’s three children lived at the residence with her. The two youngest were home at the time of the shooting. They were not harmed, but witnessed what occurred. They ran to a neighbor’s home for help.
As of Friday afternoon, the coroner had not yet determined the cause of death.
Hardin told detectives that there had been a history of arguing and fighting between him and the victim and he just wanted it to stop. He was arrested for murder. He posted a $50,000 bond and was released just after midnight.
Jeremy Conway Hardin of Clay was booked into the Jefferson County jail on the charge of murder and was released on a $50,000 bond.
Photo via JCSO
Formal charges are expected later today.
Sheriff’s Office records indicate that deputies have responded to the address on three prior occasions to investigate reports of domestic violence. The most recent occurrence was on March 9, 2016. Watson claimed to be the victim of domestic violence at the hands of Hardin, but declined to seek prosecution.
