Jones County Sheriff Alex Hodge says Sunday morning’s shooting death of 46-year-old Alice Wash Clayton appears to be the result of a “domestic situation that went bad.”

Deputies arrested 46-year-old Quincey Clayton and charged him with homicide for allegedly shooting his wife, Alice. The incident occurred in the couple’s Mt. Olive Community home in the 100 block of Brown Road.

“Through investigation, it was determined the couple had a disagreement that had been going on for at least a day or so,” Hodge said during a briefing in his office Monday. “We received a call on Sunday morning, and upon arrival, we determined that Alice Clayton received a fatal one-shot gun blast to the chest. She was pronounced dead on the scene.”

Hodge stated Quincey Clayton fled the scene of the incident in his vehicle, but was apprehended by Deputy Brian Buxton a short distance from the home. He surrendered without incident.

Quincey Clayton had his initial court appearance in Jones County Justice Court Monday afternoon.

Family members of the victim came to the Justice Court building to witness the court proceedings.

Quincey Clayton, in a striped jumpsuit, was escorted into the Jones County Justice Court Building in downtown Laurel by Hodge and several deputies.

Assistant District Attorney J. Ronald Parish represented the state at the hearing.

Clayton appeared before a Jones County Justice Court judge who gave him a $500,000 cash bond in connection to the murder case.

Clayton was transported from court back to the Jones County Adult Detention Center, where he remained at press time Monday evening.

A personal friend of the couple, Hodge said he had spoken to them on Friday night. “We met up in Wal-Mart at about 9:30 p.m. Friday,” he said. “We talked for a good while just like we always do. It’s just a tragedy.

“Alice worked at Laurel Dialysis. They were just a well-known couple in the community, well-liked.”

When contacted by the Laurel Leader-Call, employees at the Laurel Dialysis Unit refused to comment.

According to Hodge, the Wash family is a large and close-knit family. “Tons of cars were at the scene within minutes of the incident,” he said. “Our prayers and thoughts are with the family.”

Alice Wash Clayton was one of 16 siblings. Two preceded her in death. The family requested privacy and refused comment when contacted Monday.