A Fultondale woman had been shot to death and her husband is in police custody after a domestic incident led to a hostage situation Saturday afternoon.

Fultondale police Chief Marcel Walker told news outlets, including ABC 33/40, that the husband was taken into custody after about five hours of negotiation that ended with teargas being fired into the home near Enclave Circle.

Four children, ages ranging between 12 and 5, were in the home during the dispute, police said. They were not harmed and were taken from the scene by family members.

Walker said in an interview posted by ABC 33/40 that the husband will be questioned about the incident but police believe he shot the woman. Walker said police understood the couple to be married and to be the parents of the four children.

One of the children ran from the house to a neighbor and told them to call 911, Walker said.

The woman greeted police when they arrived but officers were forced to retreat after hearing gunshots fired, Walker said.

Walker also credited assistance by Gardendale police and the Jefferson County sheriff’s department.