Milwaukee man accused of shooting and killing wife on her birthday

MILWAUKEE (TCD) -- A 59-year-old man is facing a homicide charge for allegedly fatally shooting his wife on her birthday over the weekend.

On Saturday, May 25, just before 1 p.m., Milwaukee Police Department officers responded to a shooting call on the 800 block of North Cass Street and found a 60-year-old woman deceased. The 59-year-old male, identified by WITI-TV as Timothy Lewis, was taken into custody in what police said was a domestic violence-related incident.

Wisconsin court records show Lewis is being charged with first-degree reckless homicide with the use of a dangerous weapon.

According to the criminal complaint cited by WITI, Lewis allegedly shot his wife, Jacqueline Beason, during an argument in her car. Beason had reportedly been on the phone with her daughter, who overheard Beason and Lewis arguing. The daughter reportedly heard Beason say, "Put that gun away," and "It's fake."

WITI reports Lewis allegedly said, "There you go," but then the phone disconnected. She tried calling her mother back several times, but she didn't pick up. Someone else reportedly answered the phone and told her a woman had been shot.

A witness allegedly heard Beason telling Lewis to leave her alone and that she "had recordings" of him treating her badly. Lewis reportedly said, "OK," then shot her.

Milwaukee Police found Lewis later that day, and he allegedly told officers he knew he was "going to jail for a long time."

WISN-TV reports Beason was shot and killed on her birthday.

The criminal complaint reportedly notes, "Lewis said that his wife and her daughter were yelling at him and he got tired and took out his gun. He said that he 'Just lost it right there.' Lewis said he shot her one time and that he thinks he shot her in her jaw. He said that he is the one who did it; no one else did it."

Milwaukee County Jail records show bail was set at $750,000.