"The Shield" actor Michael Jace cried in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday as he pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in the shooting death of his wife.
The 51-year-old actor best known for his role on FX's powerhouse drama "The Shield" was arrested on May 19 after he allegedy shot his wife of nearly 11 years, April, while the couple's two young sons were home.
Jace has been held on $2 million bail and is not allowed to have any contact with his two children. He also must not be within 100 yards of the boys, according to the judge's order.
April Jace, 40, was shot multiple times. Neighbors who called police to report gunshots also said they heard arguing before the shots were fired. Sources close to the investigation told NBC News that the couple was having financial problems but the nature of those troubles was not disclosed.
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Fire Department released a three-minute 911 call placed by April Jace's father.
"My son-in-law called me and texted me and said, 'Come get the kids' because he shot April, our daughter," Jace's father-in-law told police as he drove on the 405 Freeway to the couple's house. Police say Jace also called police himself, but that 911 call has not been released.
April Jace was a financial aid counselor at Biola University. She had another son from a previous relationship.
A statement released by her family said they were focused on caring for the children.
"We cannot reverse the senseless violence that resulted in April's death but we can invest in the lives of her innocent children that are paying the price for it," the family wrote in the statement.
Jace is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 1.