A man fatally shot his ex-wife during a church counseling session, the Seattle Times reports. Last week, 42-year-old Charles "Chuck" Parson attended a couple’s therapy session at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Federal Way with his ex-wife, 38-year-old Carol Parsons. During the session, the therapist said that Chuck Parsons got up from his chair as if he were going to leave, but pulled a handgun and shot his separated wife at least three times. After the shooting, the man called 911 and turned himself in to police.

The couple, who has three young children, had been going through a divorce for the last year, though Chuck Parsons wanted to work things out with his wife and was extremely upset over the separation. Carol Parsons believed that counseling would help him find closure and better understand the situation.

Chuck Parson had no history of domestic violence or other criminal charges, though Carol’s sister said that during the marriage he could often be possessive and controlling, calling Carol obsessively and checking in with her. While he had not been physically abusive, it is not clear if there had been verbal or emotional abuse in the past. They had been married for 12 years.

Chuck Parsons, who is from Lakewood, is now in jail with a bail of $5 million due to his high flight risk. His defense attorney described him as extremely emotionally upset. The children of the couple are staying with relatives in the wake of this tragic crime.