HAMMOND – A Ponchatoula man has been charged with second-degree murder after deputies say he shot his ex-wife in the head outside her Hammond home earlier this week.

The shooting happened around 8:44 a.m. Tuesday on Artie Road in Hammond. Sheriff Daniel Edwards said residents reported hearing gunshots, seeing a body lying in their neighbor’s yard.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s deputies found the body of 50-year-old Linda Williams at the scene. Edwards said victims came forwards saying they saw the victim’s ex-husband, 53-year-old Jerry Williams Jr., fleeing from the scene in a red Ford Mustang.

Investigators believe Williams Jr. approached the victim as she tried to leave her home in the morning. She was then shot one time in the head.

Williams turned himself in sheriff's detectives Tuesday night without incident. He was charged with second-degree murder, convicted felon in possession of a firearm and protection order violation.