An Indiana man is charged with murder in the killing of his wife, who he is accused of fatally shooting three days after Christmas - just days after she filed a protective order against him, Us Weekly can report. Jeri Mains detailed how her husband threatened he would kill her and himself after she made it clear she wanted a divorce on Tuesday, December 23, according to an order of protection filed Thursday, December 25, and reviewed by The Indianapolis Star. On Christmas Eve, he threw kitchen tongs at Mains, 44, leaving her cut and bruised, she alleged in the petition, which details a series of additional, prior violent incidents. Cecil Raymond Mains, 46, shot Jeri Mains in the driveway of her Indianapolis home, where she lived with their four children, on Sunday, December 28, the IndyStar reported. The children are 19, 17, 14 and 10. Court documents say one of the children, the Mains' 19-year-old son, called 911 to report that after his father shot Jeri Mains, he drove off from the home, according to the newspaper. In response to an inquiry from Us, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department confirmed officers responded to the shooting before 2:30 p.m. that day and found a woman with gunshot wounds. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, then was declared dead. Arkansas Mom, 2 Kids Found Dead Day After Final Divorce Hearing The department said that following the shooting, officers found the suspect driving in the area and "took him into custody without incident," after multiple witnesses provided a description of him and his vehicle. Indiana's inmate database shows Cecil Mains was booked in jail that day on a murder charge. His next court date is set for the afternoon of Tuesday, December 30. Information on Cecil Mains' legal representation was not immediately available. Jeri Mains' killing leaves her children "facing an unimaginable future," reads a GoFundMe page established in support of her children, as well as legal and funeral related costs. "Our hearts are broken as we share the loss of a loving mother whose life was tragically taken," the GoFundMe page states. "These kids have already endured more than any child should," the page continues. "Our hope is that they can focus on healing, staying together, and rebuilding their lives with stability and support." Florida Man Involved in Murder Suicide Over NFL Game Argument Before her mother was killed, Jeri Mains' daughter told investigators that her father retrieved a gun from a safe inside the house while Jeri Mains was not home, according to WTHR. Once Jeri Mains came home on December 28, her daughter reported her mother and father got in an argument, with him aiming the gun at Jeri Mains. The Mains' 19-year-old son tried to step in while his father was wielding the gun, according to court documents reviewed by the TV station. The son then witnessed him shoot Jeri Mains two times. The investigation into her death is ongoing, police said. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact IMPD detective Jose Torres by calling 317-327-3475 or emailing him at Jose.
Torres@indy.gov. Tips can also be called in to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.