An Alabama woman is accused of shooting her Army husband dead in their front yard three days after he took out a restraining order against her.

Brittnay Ryals Paonessa, 27, was charged with murder on Friday after her husband, 26-year-old Brandyn Paonessa, died of gunshot wounds the day before.

Medics tried to save Mr Paonessa after he was found injured from the shotgun attack in Phenix City but he succumbed to his injuries.

The couple had welcomed their fourth child into the world just months earlier but the soldier had grown concerned about his wife's mental health.

Mr Paonessa was described as an infantryman who had served in the Army since September 2013.

Brittnay Ryals Paonessa (right, in her arrest mugshot), 27, was charged with murder on Friday after her husband, 26-year-old Brandyn Paonessa (left), died of gunshot wounds the day before

This picture shared on what appeared to be the couple's joint Facebook page showed Mrs Paonessa cradling a newborn baby - likely to be their youngest, two-month-old child

He was based at Fort Benning on the Georgia-Alabama border, close to Phenix City where the shooting took place.

Court documents say he had filed an emergency 'protection from abuse order' on Monday against his wife.

The filing states he was concerned about his wife's mental health and claims that she refused to have treatment at a rehabilitation center.

According to WSFA, he had accused Mrs Paonessa of stalking him as well and his family and friends.

On one occasion she had driven a truck into their house just three feet from their four children, Mr Paonessa reportedly alleges.

Mr Paonessa (left), who is suspected of having been killed by his wife (right), was described as an infantryman who had served in the Army since September 2013

A court filing states that Mr Paonessa was concerned about his wife's mental health (pictured together) and claims that she refused to have treatment at a rehabilitation center

She had also been threatening his job, he claims.

In addition, according to AL.com, Mr Paonessa had himself been accused of punching his wife in the stomach last year.

He was arrested over the alleged violent outburst - said to have been prompted by her looking through his cell phone.

Charges were apparently dropped after Mrs Paonessa asked for them not to be taken any further.

The couple were said to have been married since 2013. Their children are aged eight, three, two and two months.

According to reports, Mr Paonessa had accused his wife (pictured together) of stalking him as well and his family and friends

The youngest baby was born in March, and it is not known whether Mrs Paonessa suffered from any postpartum health problems.

Postpartum depression can cause severe, long-lasting health problems including anger and rage.

Mrs Paonessa is now being held at a detention facility on a $150,000 bond, it is reported.

It was unclear whether she had an attorney who could comment.

According to her online accounts, she had worked as a server in an Irish pub and grill in Clarksville, Tennessee.

She had previously been a cashier at a book store in Columbus, Georgia, and a waitress at a Hooters restaurant in the same city in 2012 and 2013.

The Army station where Mr Paonessa (pictured) was based revealed that he had twice been deployed in Afghanistan

Lee County Sheriff's Office said Mr Paonessa suffered a shotgun wound to his abdomen in the front yard of a home.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by medics on Thursday afternoon, the sheriff's office said.

A statement provided by Fort Benning to WTVM read offered 'sincere condolences' to Mr Paonessa's relatives and friends.

The soldier belonged to Task Force 1-28, 3rd Infantry Division, and had twice served in Afghanistan, they said.

Paying tribute online, one friend said: 'I grew up right next door to Brandyn he was always a good kid and always thought positive.'

Replying, another commenter said: 'Brandyn was an awesome guy like you said always positive.'