LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (WUSA9) -- Could a Sterling, Virginia domestic violence situation have escalated to murder?
Police say 42-year-old Roseangela Spradling fatally shot her husband, a cop, on Friday night. Steven Spradling was a 25-year veteran of the Washington Airports Authority police department.
The Loudoun County Sheriff wants to send the message that there is help for any family dealing with domestic issues.
"They certainly had their problems and that would be an understatement," said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman.
Sheriff Chapman says officers had been called to the couple's Sterling, VA. home on Blossom Drive half a dozen times in the last three years but none of them resulted in an arrest.
"As far as the reports indicate there was no evidence of physical abuse."
The Sheriff says the wife obtained a 72-hour protective order last year but he has no indication she went to court to extend it.
Neighbors say they saw signs of problems and experienced their own conflicts with the husband.
"There have been many police cars over there; I don't know what went on. Maybe these are two people who shouldn't have been together," a neighbor said.
One neighbor, who doesn't want to be identified, says she along with other neighbors, were threatened by the officer and much of it had to deal with his pristine lawn.
"He thought my dog went to the bathroom in his yard when in fact it was my yard and told me I was a dead woman. If this guy is this angry in our neighborhood is he the one we want pulling terrorists off planes?"
Neighbors wonder if this was a justified homicide. The sheriff won't comment on that and says that will be up to the courts to decide.
While this is Loudoun County's first domestic related murder, it's the fourth for Prince George's County this past week alone.
A few days ago, a man shot his estranged wife before turning the gun on himself in Clinton, Md.
Earlier last week, a horrific escalation of domestic violence, when police say, a Laurel man nearly killed his entire family. They say 59-year-old Ronnie Lee Rainey fatally shot his estranged wife and daughter. His son barely escaped.
"Anyone who finds themselves in this type of situation they need to reach out for help before they call 911. When you see things are developing reach out get counseling, domestic violence coordinators or maybe go to work, those are the avenues we encourage people in similar situations to pursue before it becomes a tragedy like this," said Sheriff Chapman.
Rosangela Spradling's first court appearance is scheduled for Monday. She's being held without bond and charged with first degree murder.
