ARNOLD • An 83-year-old man fatally shot his wife in their home Thursday, police say.

Edwin M. Hipp was charged Friday with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. Arnold police say Hipp shot his wife, Irma Hipp, 82, twice early Thursday morning in their home in the 3400 block of St. Martin Drive.

Charges say the couple argued and that Irma Hipp retrieved a handgun from a living room recliner. Edwin Hipp told police he took the gun from her and shot her once in the abdomen, then put the gun to her neck and shot her again.

He told police he did not call for medical help for his wife. Edwin Hipp's brother-in-law told police Hipp called him about 5:10 a.m. Thursday and told him, "You need to come over today at some time."

Police said that after shooting his wife, Hipp removed two spent rounds from the gun and left them on the kitchen counter. About 9:30 a.m., police responded to the home and found Edwin Hipp in another part of his home with scratches on his right forearm, charges say. Within reach were two guns, one of which was the same caliber as the shell casings found in the house.

Police say he admitted shooting his wife. He was being held Friday on a $500,000 cash-only bail.

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