An elderly Florida man faces a first-degree murder charge after he shot and killed his wife as she slept because he could no longer afford her medications.

William J. Hager, 86, of Port St. Lucie told investigators he killed his wife Carolyn because she was in pain. WPTV out of West Palm Beach reports that Carolyn Hager had severe arthritis, as well as other health issues, and had been ill for about 15 years.

Hager shot her in her sleep early Monday morning, according to the news station. He then went into his kitchen and drank a cup of coffee, called his daughters and then called 911.

"I want to apologize I didn't call earlier, I wanted to tell my kids what happened first," he is quoted as saying.

The station reports that the couple's daughters live out of state and it was unclear if their father told them about the financial problems he was having. He reportedly got a job at one point in an effort to keep his wife's needed medication coming.

The couple filed for bankruptcy in 2011.