Shirley Lee: Indiana woman fatally shot daughter as she 'wouldn't stop talking' amid argument

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA: A 68-year-old woman from Indiana, was taken into custody on suspicion of killing her 52-year-old daughter by shooting the victim several times during a fight because the victim allegedly "would not stop talking."

Shirley A Lee was detained on Sunday and charged with one count of murder and one count of voluntary manslaughter with an extra firearm enhancement in the death of Zawondra Lee.

Shirley Lee is accused of killing her daughter

Shirley Lee is accused of killing her daughter while under the influence of "sudden heat," a mitigating circumstance that "reduces what otherwise would be murder" to voluntary manslaughter.

According to court documents, the police apprehended her from her Ardmore Trail home after the shooting incident, where she and her daughter had reportedly been living for the past three months,

Officers from the South Bend Police Department responded to a reported shooting at a house in the 3900 block of Ardmore Trail at approximately 11.54 pm on December 10, according to an affidavit of probable cause that Law&Crime was able to obtain.

The caller informed the emergency dispatcher, that his mother, whom he identified as Shirley Lee, had just shot his sister.

Shirley Lee was taken into custody by first responders who discovered her sitting inside the house when they arrived on the scene. According to police reports, she told them right away that her daughter "was shot and inside the residence."

Police questioned Shirley Lee

On questioning, Shirley Lee allegedly informed the officers that Zawondra Lee had passed away. When officers found the victim's body, they discovered a silver revolver on the ground close by. Police took Shirley Lee to the headquarters where she was interviewed alone in a room.

The police claim Shirley made multiple incriminating statements during that period, before the interview, proving that she shot and killed her daughter.

Shirley Lee is reported to have said, "I told her to stop talking, but she would not stop talking," as well as, "I did that to my child," during the interview.

“Shirley Lee stated she was in a verbal altercation with Zawondra Lee. Shirley Lee indicated that Zawondra Lee would not leave her alone. Shirley Lee indicated that she had gone into her bedroom and shut the door in Zawondra Lee’s face two times,” police wrote in the affidavit.

"Shirley Lee stated that she shut the door because she was angry and wanted to calm down. Shirley Lee opened the door when she thought Zawondra Lee didn’t have any more to say. Shirley Lee advised she became angry, retrieved her handgun and shot Zawondra Lee. Shirley Lee stated she did not observe Zawondra Lee with a weapon during the incident,” the affidavit said.

Currently, Shirley Lee is being held without bond at the St. Joseph County Jail. She could receive a maximum sentence of 65 years in a state prison if found guilty of the murder charge.