A teenager who shot and killed a Tuscaloosa man may have been defending a woman and her children during a domestic violence situation, authorities said.

The 17-year-old told police he shot and killed Kerry Deandre Shepherd, 43, because he was assaulting and threatening to kill his wife.

Investigators with the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit interviewed the teen and released him Wednesday without filing charges. The case will now go before a grand jury.

Police were first called to 3120 20th Street at 3 a.m. on a domestic dispute call involving Shepherd and his wife, said Capt. Kip Hart, Violent Crimes Unit assistant commander.

Shepherd was removing his belongings from the house when they began to argue again just before 7 a.m., Hart said.

A witness told the teenager, who was inside the home, that Shepherd was threatening the woman while she was in her car with her children. The teen confronted Shepherd and shot him, Hart said.

"As he went outside, he said he saw Shepherd still physically assaulting the woman," he said. "We're still continuing the investigation, but he is not being charged at this time."

Hart said several witnesses were willing to come forward and speak with police.

"Anytime we have help from the community it's always a good thing," he said.